HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS DURING THE COVID – 19 PANDEMICS AT JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

promotion of well-being for all. However, COVID – 19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge to economies, livelihood, physical and mental well-being of people globally hindering the achievement of the goal. The purpose of the study was to assess the health care providers’ psychological responses and associated factors during COVID - 19 pandemic at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. This study measured the levels of health care providers’ psychological responses during COVID – 19, determined the association of occupational, socioeconomic factors and health care providers’ psychological responses during the pandemic. A total of 202 respondents participated in the study. This was a hospital based cross sectional study at JOOTRH. Stratified sampling method was used to select the study participants. The survey questionnaire consisted of six components: demographic factors, occupational factors, socioeconomic factors and the multi - dimensional scale of perceived social support. Depression and anxiety were measured by standardized questionnaires, the 9 – item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ - 9) and the 7 – item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD - 7) respectively. Data was analysed using the statistical package for Social Science version 28. Pretesting of the questionnaire was done at Kisumu County Hospital to appraise the tools and determine their feasibility. Face and content validity was used to determine validity. Pearson chi- Square was used to determine the factors associated with the health care providers’ psychological responses at p ≤ 0.05. The overall prevalence of depression was 57.4% and GAD at 59.9%. Age (OR 0.1, p = < 0.001), gender (OR 0.4, p = 0.002), marital status (OR 4.2, p = < 0.001), years of experience (OR 0.2, p = < 0.001), Personal Protective Equipment (OR 0.4, P = 0.013), facing stigma (OR 3.1, p = < 0.001), risk perception (OR 2.7, p = 0.015), level of education (OR 0.5, p = 0.019), living with partner and children (OR 2.4, p = 0.002), were associated with GAD. With regard to depression, age (OR 0.5, p = 0.006), marital status (OR 3.2, p = < 0.001), years of experience (OR 0.5, p = 0.018), facing stigma (OR 2.1, P = 0.008), living with partner and children (OR 1.7, p = 0.045), low support from family (OR 2.1, p = 0.038), were associated with depression. The study concluded that there were high rates of anxiety and depression with the old, married, being stigmatised, insufficient personal protective equipment and living with partner and children being associated with high risk of GAD and depression. It is recommended that health care institutions should provide psychological support to health care providers during pandemics and create conducive working environment. Results from this study will enhance policies and programs that address the needs of healthcare providers during a pandemic.