PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS DURING COVID-19 VACCINE ERA AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2021. A MULTICENTER STUDY

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)