A descriptive study of the psychological experience of health care workers in close contact with a person with COVID-19

Boon Hau Ng; Nik Nuratiqah Nik Abeed; Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid; Chun Ian Soo; Hsueh Jing Low; Najma Kori; Petrick Periyasamy; Norlaila Mustafa; Andrea Ban Yu-lin

Return

A descriptive study of the psychological experience of health care workers in close contact with a person with COVID-19

Author: Boon Hau Ng ¹ ; Nik Nuratiqah Nik Abeed ¹ ; Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid ¹ ; Chun Ian Soo ¹ ; Hsueh Jing Low ² ; Najma Kori ³ ; Petrick Periyasamy ³ ; Norlaila Mustafa ⁴ ; Andrea Ban Yu-Lin ¹
Author Information

1. Pulmonology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
2. Department of Anaesthesiology and critical care, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
4. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), psychological experience; quarantine; hand hygiene; contact screening
From: The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(5):485-489
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Background: COVID-19 has the potential to affect the mental health of health care workers (HCWs). It is known that HCWs who serve as front-liners during the COVID-19 pandemic experience stress and have the fear of contracting the infection. Little is known of how being a positive contact affects HCWs. Objective: We examined the experience of HCWs who were quarantined following a close unprotected contact with a COVID-19 positive colleague and explore the psychological impact especially as the timing of the quarantine coincided with the Eid (annual Muslim festival) celebration in Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional on-line questionnaire study, involving HCWs exposed to a COVID-19 positive colleague in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, a teaching hospital. Data on demographics, levels of depression, anxiety and stress using a validated depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire, aspects of quarantine, wearing of masks, hand hygiene practice and swab experience were collected. Results: Twenty-two HCWs participated. Eighteen (81.8%) were between 30-39 years and 17 (77.3%) were women. Majority 19 (86.3%) were Malays. There were twelve (54.5%) medical officers, 5 (22.7%) specialists and 5(22.7%) allied health staff. Eighteen out of 22 (81.8%) felt they were able to do home quarantine adequately. All tested negative with a mean (Standard Deviation) hour of contact of 2.56±2.38 hours. Eighteen reported their biggest concern was infecting their families. Conclusion: HCWs undergoing contact swabbing and quarantine are vulnerable to depression, anxiety and stress. The ability of the HCW to adequately home quarantine should not be taken for granted. Psychological support should be offered to HCWs who are positive contacts.