Mental health outcomes among front and second line health workers associated with the COVID 19 pandemic in Italy.
In this study, we report on mental health outcomes among health workers (HWs) involved with the COVID 19 pandemic in Italy. Data on mental health on 1379 HWs were collected between March 27th and March 31th 2020 using an on line questionnaire spread throughout social networks, using a snowball technique along with sponsored social network advertisement. Key mental health outcomes were Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (PTSD) severe depression, anxiety, insomnia and perceived stress. PTSD symptoms, severe depression, anxiety and insomnia, and high perceived stress were endorsed respectively by 681 (49.38% 341 (24.73% 273 (19.80% 114 (8.27% and 302 (21.90% respondents. Regression analysis show that younger age, female gender, being a front line HWs, having a colleague deceased, hospitalised or in quarantine were associated with poor mental health outcomes. This is the first report on mental health outcomes and associated risk factors among HWs associated with the COVID 19 pandemic in Italy, confirming a substantial proportion of health workers involved with the COVID 19 pandemic having mental health issues, in particular young women, first line HWs.
medRxiv