Analysis of the baseline of "The COVID-19 health care workers study": impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of health care workers in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers in healthcare services are exposed to several stressors. This situation could affect their mental health. Few studies have investigated the associations between depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and work-related characteristics during the pandemic, particularly, in primary health care settings and in low- middle income countries, such as Brazil, that is one of the countries most affected by COVID-19 in the world. Objectives: (1) to estimate the occurrence of major depression and suicidal ideation among healthcare workers in primary care units in the city of São Paulo; (2) to investigate the associations between the participants' characteristics including sociodemographic variables, resilience and health conditions, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation; and (3) to examine the associations between work-related characteristics during the pandemic, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Method: we will analyze collected data (T1) of the longitudinal study "The COVID-19 health care workers (HEROES)" We randomly selected 36 primary care centers in the city of São Paulo, and invited their primary care workers to participate in. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic characteristics, brief resilience scale, health conditions, work-related characteristics, and depressive symptoms/suicidal ideation (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) via online. Expected results: to identify factors associated with a higher risk of presenting severe depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among healthcare workers. Our results could contribute to create strategies to mitigate mental suffering, and its impacts on professionals, patients and healthcare systems. (AU)