Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of medical personnel worldwide, leading to increased levels of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to compare anxiety and depression levels among healthcare workers during the initial wave of the pandemic in April-May 2020 and the post-pandemic period in January-May 2023 in Russia.
Methods: Data from two similar surveys conducted during the respective periods were combined, and a case-control matching approach was used to ensure compatibility between the two samples. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression levels.
Results: The mean total score for Anxiety subscale in 2020 was 4.126 (SD = 3.042), and in 2023 it increased to 6.632 (SD = 4.132) (F=20.751, df (1, 172), p<0.001, η2p=0.108). Similarly, the mean total score for Depression subscale increased from 3.253 (SD = 2.616) in 2020 to 4.115 (SD = 2.939) in 2023 (F=4.177, df (1, 172), p=0.043, η2p=0.024). The proportion of healthcare workers with higher-than-normal levels of anxiety increased from 16.09% in 2020 to 39.08% in 2023, whereas the effect size for depression remained negligible. The increase in anxiety severity was contrary to previous longitudinal studies showing a decrease in anxiety and depression levels after an initial increase during the pandemic.
Conclusion: The increase in anxiety and depression levels in healthcare workers in 2023 may be attributed to other factors like "special military operation" in Ukraine, sanctions, and announcement of partial mobilization in September 2022. These factors could be perceived as more serious adverse factors, leading to increased anxiety levels.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic - post-pandemic - healthcare workers - medical workers – anxiety – depression - stress.