PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND STRESS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN BAHIR DAR CITY HOSPITALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA, 2021

Abstract

Abstract Background: The corona virus disease (COVID-19) is extremely an infectious pandemic. The frequent contact of healthcare professionals with COVID-19 patients induced their mental health problems. However, there is a paucity of evidence related to mental health among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia, Bahir Dar City. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Healthcare Professionals working in Bahir Dar City Hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from 15 August 2021 to 15 September 2021, among healthcare professionals working in hospitals of Bahir Dar City. Using simple random sampling techniques, 487 study participants were selected. A standardized and selfadministered, DASS-21 were used to collect the data. Data were entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Descriptive, binary logistic regression was carried out for data analysis. Variables with a p-value <0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were declared significantly associated with the outcome. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 63.0%, 56.7%, and 48.8%, respectively. Family size (AOR=2.14,95%CI:1.38,3.32), poor social support (AOR=1.79, 95%CI:1.15,2.78), lack of infectious prevention training (AOR=1.86,95%CI:1.21,2.86), and private hospitals AOR=3.38,95%CI:1.56-7.36), and older age age (AOR=3.53,95%CI:1.17,10.7) were associated factors for depression. Being female (AOR=1.55,95%CI:1.02-2.35), income (AOR=2.58.95%CI:1.49,4.46), and private hospitals (AOR:3.12, 95%CI:1.59,6.11), and personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR=1.49, 95%CI:1.01,2.21) were the associated factors for anxiety. PPEs (AOR=1.60, 95%CI:1.02-2.50), and insufficient sleeping duration (AOR=2.43, 95%CI:1.19,4.97) were the associated factors for stress. Conclusion: In this study depression, anxiety and stress were prevalent among healthcare professionals. Family size, social support, training, working in private hospitals, and age were associated with depression. Sex, monthly income, and working in private hospitals were associated with anxiety. PPEs and sleeping hours were associated with stress. Preventing mental health problems among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic requires an integrated approach to address the prevalence and the potential risk factors of depression, anxiety, and stress. Keywords: Anxiety, Bahir Dar, COVID-19, Depression, Ethiopia, Stress.