Relationship between depression, anxiety, and perceived stress in health professionals and their perceptions about the quality of the health services in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The health emergency caused by COVID-19 revealed the shortcomings of health services (HS), but little is known about how this has impacted the mental health of health professionals (HP).

Methods: Data were collected through an online survey administered to HP in Lima (Peru) between May and July 2020. Instruments were applied to evaluate anxiety, depression, perceived stress (PS), and perceived quality of health services (PQHS).

Results: A total of 507 HP completed the survey. In the multivariate analysis, younger age and female gender were related to anxiety, depression, and PS (all with p < .001). The most relevant unfavorable PQHS associated with anxiety were competence of other HP to care for HP if infected (p = .002) and support for HP or their families in the event of becoming infected (p = .001); the most relevant unfavorable PHQS associated with depression were equipment to care for HP and their families if infected (p = .003); support for HP or their families if infected (p < .001); fear of HP and/or family members being infected or dying (p = .006); and HP' recognition of their competencies (p < .001); and the most relevant unfavorable PHQS associated with PS were support for HP or their families if infected (p < .001) and instability of knowledge (p = .027).

Conclusions: There was an association between impaired mental health and PQHS scores among HP. This study shows the need for HP to express their concerns about how HS are supporting their safety and that of their family during health emergencies.

Keywords: COVID-19; health professionals; health services; mental health; perception.