COVID-19 and Mental Health: A Cross-sectional Study on Mental Health Status of Healthcare Service Providers Working in COVID-19 Wards of Selected Government Hospitals in Kolkata

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant mental health challenges to the Healthcare Service Providers (HSPs), causing a tremendous impact on the psychological, economical, and social well-being. Objectives: This study focuses on evaluating the mental health status of HSPs working in COVID-19 wards of government hospitals in Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 years (2020–2022) on 590 HSPs of selected government hospitals in Kolkata, selected by two-stage random sampling, to assess the level of mental health status (anxiety, stress, and depression), using an interview schedule, comprising “Generalized Anxiety disorder-7 scale,” “Perceived stress scale,” and “Patient’s Health questionnaire-9.” Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied as applicable. Results: Among the participants, 46.8% belonged to the age group of 25–34 years and almost 55% comprised males. About 58.4% of HSPs were doctors, out of which 33% were postgraduate trainees. Almost 58.0% were working in COVID-19 wards of government hospitals were having mild-to-moderate/severe anxiety, 63% of them were having moderate stress, followed by low and high stress. Doctors or nurses by occupation, and maintaining a high socioeconomic status had higher odds of suffering from moderate anxiety. Conclusion: More than half of the HSPs working in COVID-19 wards of government hospitals had mild-to-severe anxiety, whereas housekeeping staff and nursing staffs had high levels of anxiety as compared to doctors.