Saúde mental, uso de substâncias, religiosidade e transtorno do estresse pós-traumático dos profissionais de saúde mediante à pandemia do covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: With COVID-19, the risks of contamination, social isolation and uncertainties aggravated or generated mental problems throughout the population, especially in health professionals. Religiosity/spirituality has been used as a tool to cope with stressful situations and is linked to better health outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on health professionals in various specialized fields, evaluating mental health during the pandemic, substance use and religiosity. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted at a University Hospital of Minas Gerais. Health professionals who were on the front line of COVID-19 were invited to participate in the research and answered screening questionnaires for anxiety, depression, stress (DASS-21), religiosity (P-DUREL), substance use (ASSIST) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD-PCL). The collection was carried out from May to July 2020. Results: 151 health professionals participated, most of them female (N=126. 84%) and predominance of nursing technicians (N=71, 47%). 90 (59.6%) workers were deprived of their relatives and 132 (87.4%) reported not having received psychological/psychiatric support during the pandemic. 48 (31.8%) had symptoms of depression from moderate to very severe, 53 (35.1%) from anxiety and 46 (30.4%) from stress. Religiosity had an inverse correlation with alcohol use and depression (p<0.05). Conclusion: Covid-19 frontline health workers had a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress and PTSD. Religiosity seems to have a positive impact on mental health and can help these professionals cope with the pandemic.