Psychological experience of health care workers in an anaesthesia and intensive care units
N. Chaouch, W. Gdich, S. Bey, G. Amri, H. Ziedi, R. Ghachem, N. MecherguiIntroduction
Health care workers (HCWs) in anaesthesia and intensive care units are constantly confronted with unexpected, complex and sometimes intense emotional situations.
Objectives
To assess the level of perceived stress among HCWs in an anaesthesia and intensive care unit and to determine the prevalence and intensity of anxiety-depressive symptoms in this population.
Methods
Cross-sectional study conducted among HCWs in the Anaesthesia-Intensive Care Unit of the Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis during July 2024, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) to assess stress levels. Screening and assessment of the severity of anxiety-depressive symptoms were carried out using psychometric scales, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Results
Our population was predominantly female (75%) with a mean age of 35 +- 8 years. They were mainly paramedical staff (72.5%). The median professional seniority was 8 years. Working hours were atypical in 50% of the cases. Stress levels were moderate in 65% of cases, severe in 32.5% and low in 2.5%. Anxiety symptoms were present in 85% of HCWs, with mild to moderate anxiety in 65% of cases. Depressive disorders were present in 89% of HCWs. It was moderate to severe in 61.5% of cases. Moderate depression was associated with having an outside job (p=0.035) and with educational level (p=0.031). There was a non-statistically significant correlation between high levels of stress and severe depression (p=0.05)
Conclusions
Our study showed that the level of perceived stress, frequency and severity of anxiety-depressive symptoms were high among HCWs in the anaesthesia and intensive care unit. Early detection of anxiety-depressive disorders and implementation of preventive strategies are essential to ensure better mental health among HCWs
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared