A National Study on the Psychological Effects Experienced by Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Outbreak Pandemic in Iraq

Background: Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic, there are increasing reports of the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms observed among health care workers.

Aims: This study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of Iraqi healthcare professionals.

Methods: This questionnaire was done after consulting with psychologists and it was approved by the scientific committee at the Al-Yarmouk University College/ Department of the Pharmacy/ Republic of Iraq. Healthcare staff from major hospitals and healthcare centers in the south, middle, and north of Iraq were invited to engage in this study by completing a self-administered questionnaire through social media between May 20 and July 30, 2020. Before registration, all subjects gave their informed consent through the internet. Two options (yes/no) were offered on the informed consent page. Only those who answered yes were taken to the questionnaire page, and they were free to exit at any moment. Doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory assistants, and volunteers were among the health care professionals who worked mostly in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency departments.

Results: This short study represented as a questionnaire through social media were statistically significant at (P < 0.01 or P < 0.5) which included the multi-factors affecting the mental health activity of the health worker.

Conclusion: The majority of the participants' responses were yes in this survey with a high percentage frequency compared to no or sometimes as a high percentage were few. The answers “yes” were represented by the many various factors affecting the psychological and mental state.