Trauma and Coping in Battling the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Malaysian Healthcare Workers
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.2.30
- Author:
Norhafizah Mohd Noor
1
;
Ahmad Azuhairi Ariffin
1
;
Umi Adzlin Silim
2
;
Salmiah Md Said
1
Author Information
1. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia
2. Department of Psychiatry, Serdang Hospital, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adaptive Coping Strategies, COVID-19, Healthcare Workers, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.2):203-213
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Prolonged COVID-19 pandemic with high morbidity and mortality may cause traumatic events to
Healthcare Workers (HCW), resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and its association with coping strategies among HCW in managing COVID-19 pandemic at Klang Valley Public Hospitals in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study with total of 424 eligible respondents were recruited through stratified random sampling. Data was collected from 6th May until 6th June 2021 using a self-administered online questionnaire adopted from MPCL-5 and Brief COPE instruments.
IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26 was used to analyse data.
Result: 25% of the respondents demonstrated PTSD symptoms. Respondents who are single (aOR=3.319, 95% CI: 1.912, 5.762, p-value <0.001) and had history of positive COVID-19 (aOR= 2.563, 95% CI:1.058, 6.209, p-value=0.037) were more likely to experience PTSD symptoms. Frequently coping with self-blaming (aOR= 7.804, 95% CI: 3.467, 17.568, p-value < 0.001), behavioural disengagement (aOR= 7.262, 95% CI: 1.973, 26.723, p-value =0.003), humour (aOR= 5.303, 95% CI: 1.754, 16.039, p-value =0.003), venting emotion (aOR= 3.287, 95% CI: 1.521, 7.105, p-value =0.002) and less planning (aOR= 2.006, 95% CI:1.154, 3.487 p-value =0.014) are significant predictors for PTSD symptoms.
Conclusion: One in four HCW managing COVID-19 in Klang Valley public hospitals experienced PTSD symptoms.
Therefore, urgent interventional program targeting HCW who are single with history of positive COVID-19 is beneficial to prevent PTSD. Maladaptive coping strategies like self-blaming, venting emotion, humour and behavioural
disengagement should be replaced with more adaptive coping strategies like planning, self-compassion, self-care
and self-reflection.
- Full text:11.2023my1480.pdf
