ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 325
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Psychological impact of COVID-19 on clinical staff working
at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Roma, Lesotho
Dr Muila Kambulandu1, Radiance Ogundipe1, Mariel Bryden2, Lebohang Sao5, Chelsea McGuire1,4,
David Thompson3, Brian Jack1,4
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Lesotho Boston Health Alliance, 2University of Washington, 3University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Center, 4Boston University, 5Ministry of Health
Aim
Since 2020, the world has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortality and morbidity at the
height of the pandemic sparked generalised fear and uncertainty about the future. Concerns were
raised about the psychological impact of the pandemic on those working in healthcare systems
globally. This study was conducted to establish the degree of psychological impact of the pandemic
on frontline health workers in Lesotho.
Content
The study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. The validated Kessler Psychological
Distress Screening Tool (K-10) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder checklist for civilians (PCL-C)
were administered to screen for mental or psychological distress among clinical staff at St. Joseph’s
Hospital and four connected health centres in Roma, Lesotho. Additional open- and closed-ended
questions were added for context. Data were analysed using Fisher’s exact tests, Pearson Chisquared tests and correlation studies.
Of 101 participants, 42 (41.6%) had scores ≥24 on the K-10 (95% CI: 32.0, 51.2%) indicating moderate
to severe psychological distress; and 32 (31.6%) reported scores ≥50 on the PCL-C checklist
suggesting post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity that merits a formal assessment (95%
CI: 24.5, 42.9%). High scores on the K-10 were more likely to occur among men than women (17
[37.8%] vs 4 [7.1%]; P ≤ 0.001). The percentage of participants with high scores on the PCL-C are more
likely to occur among those in the younger age group (P ≤ 0.03); among those reporting at least one
comorbidity (P ≤ 0.001) and among those reporting anxiety as a comorbidity (P = 0.005).
Goals
This study reveals the grave psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline clinical health
workers in Lesotho. These data will assist health leaders and policy makers in Lesotho to implement
preventive mental health support interventions for health workers in future health crises.
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