Dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence of common mental disorders in "invisible" health workers and their association with occupational stressors

• Main Authors: Manuela Matos Maturino (Author), Camila Carvalho de Sousa (Author), Lusicleide Galindo da Silva Moraes (Author), Danyella Santana Souza (Author), Maria Yaná Guimarães Silva Freitas (Author), Tânia Maria de Araújo (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between occupational stressors and common mental disorders (CMD) among "invisible" health workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional study including a probabilistic sample of 1,014 health workers from three municipalities in Bahia. CMDs were assessed using the SRQ-20. The Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale and the Demand-Control Model assessed occupational stressors. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple analysis to evaluate the association between the variables of interest. Results: The global prevalence of CMD was 39.9%; it was higher among CHA/EDCA (47.2%), followed by management and surveillance staff (38.6%), technicians (35.4%), and support/maintenance/cleaning staff (29.9%). The association between occupational stressors and CMD varied among occupations: 1. Excessive work commitment (EWC), effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and psychological demand were associated with CMD among support/maintenance/cleaning workers; 2. EWC and ERI were associated with CMD among CHA/EDCA; 3. EWC, ERI, and low control over work were associated with CMD among technicians; 4. Among management and surveillance workers, only ERI remained associated with CMD. Conclusions: Occupational stressors played a relevant role in mental illness, with variation between occupational strata, demanding attention, monitoring, and control.

Item Description

1980-5497
10.1590/1980-549720240039