Mental health outcomes among health-care workers in Oman during COVID-19: A cluster analysis

Moon Fai Chan*, Muna Al-Shekaili, Samir Al-Adawi, Walid Hassan, Nazik Al-Said, Fatima Al-Sulaimani, Sathish Kumar Jayapal, Adhra Al-Mawali

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

AIM: Despite the much heralded epidemic of adjustment difficulties, health-care workers (HCW), who are likely to be at risk and impacted with mental health issues, have received scant attention. This study aimed to determine whether definable profiles exist in a cohort of HCWs associated with demographic and mental health problems.

METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Oman. Demographic and mental health data were collected from 8 to 17 April 2020. A total of 1132 participants returned their completed questionnaire. A two-step cluster analysis was used to split the sample into three clusters.

RESULTS: Cluster A (n = 416) was from HCW in non-frontline roles, and constituted "low-risk and least-impacted". Cluster B (n = 412) and Cluster C (n = 304) were from frontline HCW and constituted 'high-risk and moderate-impacted' and 'high-risk and high-impacted' groups, respectively. HCWs in Cluster C reported more depression (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), stress (P < 0.001) and clinical insomnia (P < 0.001) compared with those in the other clusters. HCWs in Cluster C were at the highest risk for mental health problems during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: Early psychological interventions targeting this vulnerable group may be beneficial. Management should develop different tailor-made strategic plans to address different mental health needs for each profile group.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12998
Pages (from-to)e12998
JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Practice
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • COVID-19
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Oman/epidemiology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • SARS-CoV-2

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