Mental Health Outcomes Among Frontline Health-Care Workers at Eka Kotebe National COVID-19 Treatment Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many frontline health-care workers vulnerable to developing various mental health conditions. This study aimed to determine prevalence and associated factors of such conditions among frontline workers at Eka Kotebe National COVID-19 Treatment Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2020 on 280 frontline workers. Mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress disorder) were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 questionnaire, PTSD Checklist - civilian version, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Responses were coded, entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS 20. Associations between outcomes and independent variables were identified using bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions, statistical significance set at <0.05.

Results: A total of 238 subjects participated in the study, with a response rate of 85%. Estimated prevalence was 31.1% (95% CI 24.8%-37%) for anxiety, 27.3% (95% CI 21.8%-32.4%) for depression, 16% (95% CI 11.3%-21%) for PTSD, and 40.8% (95% CI 33.6%-47.5%) for insomnia. Female sex (AOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.49-5.97), being married, (AOR 13.2, 95% CI 3.42-50.7), being single (AOR 11.5, 95% CI 3.38-39.8), duration of exposure 1-2 hours (AOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.14-0.64), and assigned place of work (critical ward -AOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.03-4.97; ICU - AOR 4.44, 95% CI 1.51-13.05) were found to be significant predictors of depression.

Conclusion: We found a high estimated prevalence of mental health outcomes. Sex, marital status, duration of exposure, and assigned place of work were found to be associated with depression.