Factors Related to the Mental Health of Community Health Practitioners during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korea

Purpose: To assess levels of mental health among community health practitioners during the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea and associations between practitioner mental health and personal and psychosocial factors. Methods: Data were collected from a convenient sample of 275 community health practitioners using an online questionnaire, which included items on mental health (K-WEMWBS), psychosocial factors (COVID-19 sensitivity, COVID-19 self-confidence, social support, perceived stress), and personal characteristics. Collected data were analyzed using the t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression in SPSS 25.0. Results: Mean mental health score was 51.27짹8.47. Multiple linear regression revealed that time spent as a community health practitioner, COVID-19 self-confidence, social support, and perceived stress were significantly associated with mental health. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that comprehensive intervention with emphases on improving COVID-19 self-confidence, social support, and reducing stress is required to improve community health practitioner mental health. The results also indicate a need for educational programs aimed at improving the mental health of young community health practitioners.