Citation

Mortier P, Vilagut G, Ferrer M, Serra C, de Dios Molina J, López-Fresneña N, Puig T, Pelayo-Terán JM, Pijoan JI, Emparanza JI, Espuga M, Plana N, Gonzalez-Pinto A, Orti-Lucas RM, de Salázar AM, Rius C, Aragonès E, Del Cura-González I, Aragón-Peña A, Campos M, Parellada M, Pérez-Zapata A, Forjaz MJ, Sanz F, Haro JM, Vieta E, Pérez-Solà V, Kessler RC, Bruffaerts R, Alonso J. Depress. Anxiety 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/da.23129

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are a key occupational group at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). We investigated the prevalence and correlates of STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak (March-July 2020).

METHODS: Data come from the baseline assessment of a cohort of Spanish hospital workers (n = 5450), recruited from 10 hospitals just after the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak (May 5-July 23, 2020). Web-based self-report surveys assessed 30-day STB, individual characteristics, and potentially modifiable contextual factors related to hospital workers' work and financial situation.

RESULTS: Thirty-day STB prevalence was estimated at 8.4% (4.9% passive ideation only, 3.5% active ideation with or without a plan or attempt). A total of n = 6 professionals attempted suicide in the past 30 days. In adjusted models, 30-day STB remained significantly associated with pre-pandemic lifetime mood (odds ratio [OR] = 2.92) and anxiety disorder (OR = 1.90). Significant modifiable factors included a perceived lack of coordination, communication, personnel, or supervision at work (population-attributable risk proportion [PARP] = 50.5%), and financial stress (PARP = 44.1%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Thirty-day STB among hospital workers during the first wave of the Spain COVID-19 outbreak was high. Hospital preparedness for virus outbreaks should be increased, and strong governmental policy response is needed to increase financial security among hospital workers.

Language: en

Keywords

COVID-19 outbreak; hospital workers; suicidal thoughts and behaviors