Abstract:
Abstract
Background: A coronavirus disease 2019 is a specific type of coronavirus disease which out
broke in 2019 and widespread over the globe in short time causing tremendous loss of life for
millions. The health care professionals working in any health institutions are exceptionally
inclined to develop psychological distress as result of highly infectious nature of COVID-19
viruses, but a limited study has been conducted in Ethiopia. Hence, studying psychological
distress among healthcare professionals during this pandemic is very important.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of psychological distress and its associated factors among
healthcare professionals working in Hawassa comprehensive specialized referral hospital and
other two COVID-19 centers situated at-Southern Ethiopia in 2021.
Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to Jun 2021. A
total of 461 healthcare professionals were selected through a systematic random sampling
technique. The self-administered questioners were used. The analysis was done using STATA
software, version 14. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression modeling were performed to
identify the associated factors with psychological distress. P-value < 0.05 was considered as
statistically significant and the strength of associations were presented by COR and AOR.
Results: Prevalence of psychological distress was found to be 38.5% (95%CI; 34.08%, 43.26%).
Psychological distress an outcome in current study has demonstrated a significant association
with factors, specifically, being a female (AOR=1.97), being a nurse (AOR=3.6), working in
COVID-19 centers (AOR= 8.22), work experience of less than 2 years (AOR=3.8), negative
clients’ attitude toward face mask use (AOR=7.4), low brief resilient coping level (AOR=3.3)
and being stigmatized in the neighborhood because of hospital work (AOR=1.97)
