Abstract
BACKGROUND: The detrimental impacts of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) have been well studied. However, the long-term trajectory of their mental well-being remains relatively unexplored. We examined the magnitude and predictors of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on frontline HCWs during the transition into the "new normal" phase. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed on frontline HCWs at two largest designated COVID-19 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City between May and November 2022. A self-administered questionnaire captured participants' demographic characteristics and psychological distress including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with psychological distress. RESULTS: Among 462 HCWs, 85.3% self-reported having good, very good, or excellent mental health before their COVID-19 deployment, compared to 40.7% during the deployment and 55.6% at the time of the study. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression was 26.8%, anxiety (20.8%), insomnia (23.4%), and overall psychological distress (73.2%). Predictors for depression included pre-existing physical (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.09, 95%CI 1.03-4.22, P = 0.04) and mental health (aOR = 3.59, 95%CI 1.31-9.84, P = 0.01) conditions and being deployed during the 3rd (aOR = 6.28, 95%CI 1.12-35.08, P = 0.04) and 4th (aOR = 5.01, 95%CI 1.08-23.16, P = 0.04) COVID-19 wave. Those with mental health conditions before the deployment (aOR = 3.95, 95%CI 1.42-11.0, P = 0.008) were more likely to report anxiety symptoms. Predictors for insomnia included physical health conditions before the deployment (aOR = 2.73, 95%CI 1.37-5.44, P = 0.004), working at field hospitals (aOR = 2.44, 95%CI 1.43-4.16, P = 0.001), and currently being deployed to respond to COVID-19 (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.19-0.67, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the substantial impact of COVID-19 deployment on HCWs' long-term mental well-being, comprehensive mental health support strategies are urgently needed. As HCWs may overlook their mental health issues, a screening program with psychological support services should accompany them early in future pandemics. Further nationwide studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to understand the full extent of psychological distress among frontline HCWs in Vietnam.