High stress related to COVID-19 among health workers in the Plateau Central healthcare region (BURKINA FASO): a cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1162707
• Publication Date: 2023-06-05T05:17:00Z
• Authors: Solo Traoré; Désiré Lucien Dah...; Boyo Constant Paré; Yemboado Diedonné...; Wendlassida Josia...; Wind-La-Sida Abd-...; Datouo Thomas Kambou; Wenddinda Rabbaly...; Delphin Kaboré; Abdoulaye Ouédraogo; Siaka Sia; Mady Zorné; Boezemwendé Ouoba; Oumar Guira
• Keywords: Plateau Central healthcare region; COVID-19; 3. Good health; health workers; stress; Cross-Sectional Studies; PSS-10; Burkina Faso; Humans; Public Health; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Pandemics; Delivery of Health Care

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic challenged the mental wellbeing of health workers. The objective of this study was to assess health workers' perceived stress during the response to COVID-19 in the Central Plateau region (Burkina Faso).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of health workers in the Central Plateau health region from September 20 to October 20, 2021. Agents' perceived stress was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Factors associated with high stress (PSS-10 score ≥ 27) were identified by logistic regression.ResultsA total of 272 officers participated in the survey. The mean PSS-10 score was 29.3 points (standard deviation: 6.2). Three out of ten agents (68%) had a high level of stress. The main sources of stress were the risk of being exposed to contamination (70%) and being the source of contamination (78%). Working at the referral health center [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.29; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.19–4.41], the hospital as the main source of COVID-19 information (aOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01-3.04), fear of COVID-19 patients being managed at one's center (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.06–3.07) were factors associated with high health worker stress levels during the first wave of COVID-19.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic caused high stress among health care workers in Burkina Faso. Psychological support for health center workers in responding to future epidemics would improve their mental health.