학술논문

Stress and substance abuse among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in an intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study.
Document Type
Article
Source
PLoS ONE. 2/10/2022, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p1-10. 10p.
Subject
*INTENSIVE care units
*SUBSTANCE abuse
*COVID-19 pandemic
*COVID-19
*CURRICULUM
Language
ISSN
1932-6203
Abstract
Objective: Professionals working in intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic have been exposed to stressful situations and increased workload. The association between symptoms of traumatic stress disorders, substance abuse and personal/occupational characteristics of Brazilian COVID-19-ICU workers is still to be addressed. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of those conditions and to find if those associations exist. Methods: In this observational, single-center, cross-sectional study, all professionals working in a COVID-19 ICU were invited to fill an anonymous form containing screening tools for traumatic stress disorders and substance abuse, and a section with questions regarding personal and occupational information. Results: Three hundred seventy-six ICU professionals participated. Direct exposure to patients infected by COVID-19, history of relatives infected by COVID-19, and sex (female) were significantly associated with signs and symptoms of traumatic stress disorders. 76.5% of the participants had scores compatible with a diagnosis of traumatic stress disorders. Moreover, the prevalence of scores suggestive of Tobacco and Alcohol abuse were 11.7% and 24.7%, respectively. Conclusion: ICU workers had significantly elevated scores on both screening forms. Providing psycho-social support to ICU professionals may prevent future problems with traumatic stress disorders or substance abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]