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Long-Term Trajectory and Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A 24 Month Longitudinal Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Alice Fattori

    (Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Anna Comotti

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Sara Mazzaracca

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Dario Consonni

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Bordini

    (Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Elisa Colombo

    (Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Paolo Brambilla

    (Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Department of Pathophysiology and Trasplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy)

  • Matteo Bonzini

    (Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
    Occupational Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Research has shown the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health, however, it mostly relies on data collected during the early stages of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term trajectory of HCWs’ mental health and the associated risk factors. Methods: a longitudinal cohort study was carried out in an Italian hospital. At Time 1 (July 2020–July 2021), 990 HCWs took part in the study and completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)questionnaire. McNemar’s test measured changes in symptoms’ trajectories, and random effects models evaluated risk factors associated with scores above the cut-off. Results: 310 HCWs participated to the follow-up evaluation (Time 2; July 2021–July 2022). At Time 2, scores above cut-offs were significantly lower ( p < 0.001) than at Time 1 for all scales (23% vs. 48% for GHQ-12; 11% vs. 25% for IES-R; 15% vs. 23% for GAD-7). Risk factors for psychological impairment were being a nurse (IES-R: OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.71–13.0; GAD-7: OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.44–7.17), a health assistant (IES-R: OR 6.76, 95% CI 1.30–35.1), or having had an infected family member (GHQ-12: OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01–3.83). Compared to Time 1, gender and experience in COVID-19 units lost significance with psychological symptoms. Conclusions: data over more than 24 months from the pandemic onset showed improvement of HCWs’ mental health; our findings suggested the need to tailor and prioritize preventive actions towards healthcare workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice Fattori & Anna Comotti & Sara Mazzaracca & Dario Consonni & Lorenzo Bordini & Elisa Colombo & Paolo Brambilla & Matteo Bonzini, 2023. "Long-Term Trajectory and Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A 24 Month Longitudinal Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4586-:d:1088012
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    1. Caterina Rizzo & Ilaria Campagna & Elisabetta Pandolfi & Ileana Croci & Luisa Russo & Sara Ciampini & Francesco Gesualdo & Alberto Eugenio Tozzi & Lara Ricotta & Massimiliano Raponi & Marta Luisa Ciof, 2021. "Knowledge and Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic during the First Wave (Feb–May 2020): A Cross-Sectional Study among Italian Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, April.
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