Abstract
Objectives. Health care workers (HCW) during COVID-19 pandemic are exposed to different personal,
social, and occupational risk factors which can lead to mental health problems, including risk of developing
suicidal ideation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation of
health care workers during the first emergency situation of COVID-19 in Latvia.
Materials and Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study in the population of HCW in Latvia was
made in April-June 2020. In the study 844 HCW participated. Symptoms of depression were assessed using
the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, suicidal ideation was measured with item 9 of the PHQ9. Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 using Pearson’s Chi-Square tests.
Results. From 844 HCW 710 (84.1%) were women. Age median for all participants – 40 (IQR 29-54).
Depression was found in 209 (24.7%) participants, 132 (15.6%) presented with moderate, 55 (6.5%) –
moderately severe and 22 (2.6%) – severe depression symptoms. 85 (10.0%) HCW had suicidal ideation,
of whom 26 (30,6%) presented with moderate, 24 (28,2%) – moderately severe and 15 (17,6%) – severe
depression symptoms.
There is a statistically significant association between severity of depression and suicidal ideation
(p < 0,001). There is a statistically significant association between workplace and suicidal ideation – HCW
who work in emergency medical services and family medicine practices have suicidal ideation more often
than in those who work in hospital inpatient department (p < 0,001).
There was no statistically significant association between gender, age, work experience, working hours,
and contact with COVID-19 patients and suicidal ideation in HCW, accordingly p = 0.760; p = 0.560;
p = 0.313; p = 0.065; p = 0.771.
Conclusions. Suicidal ideation was found in 85 (10.0%) HCW. Greater severity of depression, working
in emergency medical services and family medicine practices are risk factors for developing suicidal ideation
in H CW.
social, and occupational risk factors which can lead to mental health problems, including risk of developing
suicidal ideation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation of
health care workers during the first emergency situation of COVID-19 in Latvia.
Materials and Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study in the population of HCW in Latvia was
made in April-June 2020. In the study 844 HCW participated. Symptoms of depression were assessed using
the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale, suicidal ideation was measured with item 9 of the PHQ9. Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 using Pearson’s Chi-Square tests.
Results. From 844 HCW 710 (84.1%) were women. Age median for all participants – 40 (IQR 29-54).
Depression was found in 209 (24.7%) participants, 132 (15.6%) presented with moderate, 55 (6.5%) –
moderately severe and 22 (2.6%) – severe depression symptoms. 85 (10.0%) HCW had suicidal ideation,
of whom 26 (30,6%) presented with moderate, 24 (28,2%) – moderately severe and 15 (17,6%) – severe
depression symptoms.
There is a statistically significant association between severity of depression and suicidal ideation
(p < 0,001). There is a statistically significant association between workplace and suicidal ideation – HCW
who work in emergency medical services and family medicine practices have suicidal ideation more often
than in those who work in hospital inpatient department (p < 0,001).
There was no statistically significant association between gender, age, work experience, working hours,
and contact with COVID-19 patients and suicidal ideation in HCW, accordingly p = 0.760; p = 0.560;
p = 0.313; p = 0.065; p = 0.771.
Conclusions. Suicidal ideation was found in 85 (10.0%) HCW. Greater severity of depression, working
in emergency medical services and family medicine practices are risk factors for developing suicidal ideation
in H CW.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 288 |
| Journal | Medicina (Kaunas) |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | Suppl.2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Event | RSU Research Week 2023: Research Week 2023 Rīga Stradiņš University - Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia Duration: 27 Mar 2023 → 31 Mar 2023 https://rw2023.rsu.lv/general-information https://rw2023.rsu.lv |
Keywords*
- Suicidal Ideation
- Health Care
- COVID-19
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
