COVID-19 Pandemic: Psychological Impact on Postgraduate Gynae Residents in Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency, and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among postgraduate gynae residents during COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors.
Methodology: It was a web based cross sectional survey conducted from July 2020 to August 2020. A structured google proforma comprised of a brief introduction of the study followed by the consent of participants, characteristics of study participants, and depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21) was used. All the postgraduate gynae trainees working in different tertiary care hospitals of the country who submitted their response were included. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.
Results: Total numbers of respondents were 268. Their mean age was 29.10±2.62 years. Most of them were female trainees i.e., 264(98.5%) while 4 (01.5%) were male. Hundred thirteen (42.2%) were unmarried, 152(56.7%) were married and 03(01.1) were divorced. Most of the respondents were fourth year trainees i.e., 98(36.6%), followed by 2nd year, first year, and 3rd year 76(28.3, 49(18.3), 45(16.8) respectively. Out of 268, the study participants or their family members who got infected with COVID-19 were 132 (49.3%). Mean DASS score for depression, anxiety, and stress were, 6.17±3.30, 5.80±3.40, and 7.34±3.12 respectively. The frequency of the study participants who have depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19 pandemic were 177 (66.8%), 198 (71.6%), and 150 (56%) respectively.
Conclusion: Significant number of post-graduate gynae trainees have varying degree of depression, anxiety, and stress ranging from mild, moderate, severe and very severe according to DASS-21 scale