The mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Malawi

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dc.contributor.authorMaliwichi, Limbika
dc.contributor.authorKondowe, Fiskani
dc.contributor.authorChilungamo, M'manga
dc.contributor.authorMchenga, Martina
dc.contributor.authorKainja, Jimmy
dc.contributor.authorNyamali, Simunye
dc.contributor.authorNdasauka, Yamikani
dc.date.accessioned2024-06-14T13:38:03Z
dc.date.available2024-06-14T13:38:03Z
dc.date.issued2024-05-06
dc.descriptionContributions L.M., Y.N., J.K., S.N., F.K., M.M., and C.M. conceptualised the idea and reviewed the manuscript. L.M., M.M., J.K., C.M. and F.K. analysed the data. L.M., Y.N., and F.K. drafted the paper. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. Corresponding author Correspondence to Yamikani Ndasauka.
dc.description.abstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of healthcare workers worldwide, with frontline personnel experiencing heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the mental health toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey utilising the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) was conducted among 109 frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers to explore their experiences and challenges during the pandemic. The results indicated a high prevalence of COVID-19-related depression (31%; CI [23, 41]), anxiety (30%; CI [22, 40]), and PTSD (25%; CI [17, 34]) among participants. Regression analysis revealed significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among healthcare workers in city referral hospitals compared to district hospitals. Qualitative findings highlighted the emotional distress, impact on work and personal life, and experiences of stigma and discrimination faced by healthcare workers. The stress process model provided a valuable framework for understanding the relationship among pandemic-related stressors, coping resources, and mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for interventions and support systems to mitigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare workers in Malawi. Policymakers should prioritise the assessment and treatment of mental health problems among this critical workforce to maintain an effective pandemic response and build resilience for future crises.
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was carried out under the Covid-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund (Grant no. COV19200603527586), supported under the auspices of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) and administered by South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) in collaboration with Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), South Africa's Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ), the United Kingdom's Department of International Development (DFID), United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Newton Fund, and the SGCI participating councils across 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
dc.identifier.citationMaliwichi, L., Kondowe, F., Mmanga, C. et al. The mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malawi. Sci Rep 14, 10327 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61216-x
dc.identifier.doi10.1038/s41598-024-61216-x
dc.identifier.urihttps://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/handle/1/1511
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.60763/africarxiv/1451
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer Nature
dc.subjectDepression
dc.subjectAnxiety
dc.subjectPost-traumatic stress disorder
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectHealthcare workers
dc.subjectMixed methods
dc.subjectStress process model
dc.subjectMalawi
dc.titleThe mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Malawi
dc.typeArticle

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