Measurement of Psychological Health for Healthcare Workers Dealer with COVID-19 Cases in Medical Services Directorate in Baghdad, Iraq

Iraq is one of countries of the Middle East which was subjected to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, to study psychological effect of coronavirus outbreak among healthcare workers at medical services directorate in Baghdad, questionnaire was performed during the last quarter of 2021 that consists of four scales to measure anxiety disturbances, sleep disorder, public health and psychological stress. A total of 68 participants worked at different departments & divisions at directorate and from different jurisdiction, where medical group were highest percent (29.41%) followed by pure sciences group (27.94%) and (13.24%) were medical lab technicians. The results showed 37% of participants had anxiety, stress and nervous for many days, moreover 35% of them had sleep problems and intermitted sleeping which affect their daily activities (work, memory, focusing) that noticeable by others. While 38% of them were careless about doing any work and 53% were sad felling with chest tightness for many days, however 43% had got tired and less energetic most of days. The prevalence of psychological stress and anxiety was estimated in participants were lab technicians and physicians who work at first lines receiving insufficient supplies for protection and lacking confidence in protection measures who were at risk factor for developing post traumatic diseases syndrome. Psychologic intervention should be implemented among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the pandemic to minimize the psychological effect and prevent long-term psychological comorbidities. At the same times, HCWs should be sufficiently trained and well protected before frontlines exposure.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Psychological Health, Healthcare Workers, Medical Services Directorate

Iraq is one of countries of the Middle East which was subjected to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, to study psychological effect of coronavirus outbreak among healthcare workers at medical services directorate in Baghdad, questionnaire was performed during the last quarter of 2021 that consists of four scales to measure anxiety disturbances, sleep disorder, public health and psychological stress. A total of 68 participants worked at different departments & divisions at directorate and from different jurisdiction, where medical group were highest percent (29.41%) followed by pure sciences group (27.94%) and (13.24%) were medical lab technicians. The results showed 37% of participants had anxiety, stress and nervous for many days, moreover 35% of them had sleep problems and intermitted sleeping which affect their daily activities (work, memory, focusing) that noticeable by others. While 38% of them were careless about doing any work and 53% were sad felling with chest tightness for many days, however 43% had got tired and less energetic most of days. The prevalence of psychological stress and anxiety was estimated in participants were lab technicians and physicians who work at first lines receiving insufficient supplies for protection and lacking confidence in protection measures who were at risk factor for developing post traumatic diseases syndrome. Psychologic intervention should be implemented among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the pandemic to minimize the psychological effect and prevent long-term psychological comorbidities. At the same times, HCWs should be sufficiently trained and well protected before frontlines exposure.

Keywords: Psychological Health, Healthcare Workers, Medical Services Directorate

Ali, La. G. A., Alamri, M. H. A. & Fattah, Z. S. A. (2022). Measurement of Psychological Health for Healthcare Workers Dealer with COVID-19 Cases in Medical Services Directorate in Baghdad, Iraq. Journal of Current Researches on Health Sector, 12 (1), 41-52.