Work Tension and Mental Health among the Healthcare Personnel in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Peru

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic can generate states of work tension and alter the mental health of the healthcare personnel, a situation that affects the quality of care, as well as the well-being of the health personnel, creating disorders that can influence their lives.

Objective: To determine the relationship between work tension and the mental health of the health personnel in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study carried out in hospitals and primary care centers of a health region of Peru, during March and May 2020. 352 healthcare workers participated. Socio-labor data were collected and the T3/15 Tension Questionnaire was used, together with the Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire. The study variables were described and chi-square was applied to evaluate differences, apart from using Spearman's Rho for the statistical objective correlate.

Results: Of the participants, 73.6% presented tension at work: nurses (83.8%), doctors (70.2%), and obstetricians (76.1%). Likewise, 51.7% presented poor mental health: 45.5% with general dysphoria and 59.4% with social dysfunction. A direct correlation was found between the state of work tension with poor mental health, general dysphoria and social dysfunction.

Conclusions: In times of pandemic, the prevalence of work tension and mental health problems is high among the health personnel. A correlation was found between the state of stress and poor mental health. It is necessary to promote joint actions that contribute to the well-being of health workers.