Aim: Assess the impact of stress and Burnout syndrome on health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method: A survey through an online questionnaire was conducted among health personnel, completed with a paper questionnaire collection, Information was collected on demographics, COVID-19 unit activity, the Burnout syndrome calculated by the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale, is defined by high levels of exhaustion and depersonalization when the total score reaches 30 and 12 points respectively and by a low level of professional accomplishment from a total score of 40, the level of stress perception is calculated by the post-traumatic stress scale, whose threshold is equal or greater than 44 points.
Results: 345 responses were included concerning doctors, paramedics and technical-administrative staff working in an Algerian health facility between October 2021 and January 2022. Prevalence rates were 44.3% for burnout, 30.1% for depersonalization and 56.2% for low achievement, the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was 38.6% of study participants. Analysis of risk factors among caregivers (physicians and paramedics) showed that burnout was related to age (p=0.041), the notion of the workplace in a dedicated COVID-19 patient unit (p=0.009) and the occurrence of death in the health professional's entourage (p=0,015). The occurrence of a death event among those around caregivers is a risk factor for post-traumatic stress syndrome with a OR=2.02, IC 95% [1,17-3,47].
Conclusion: Knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 on health professionals is an important element in maintaining their mental health and is a key consideration when managing health crises.