Impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers’ mental and physical health in Arab Countries
A systematic literature review
Keywords:
healthcare workers, mental health, physical health, COVID-19, pandemic preparedness planAbstract
Background: Healthcare workers are under considerable psychological and physical pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in Arab countries, a comprehensive analysis of mental and physical health issues among healthcare workers (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic is still needed.Therefore, this systematic review aims to identify the mental and physical health impact among HCW in the Arab countries during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: This review was carried out using the PRISMA guidelines. Empirical studies were selected from the following databases PubMed, Scopus databases, Google Scholar, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and MEDLINE (PubMed). Case reports, duplicate publications, reviews, and family-based studies were excluded. A total of 56 studies from 14 Arab countries reported the mental and physical health of HCW during the COVID-19 pandemic. The distribution of HCW analysed included doctors, nurses, paramedics, administrators and allied health workers. Results: The majority of the studies focused on HCW’s mental health (n=29), four studies focused on physical issues and 23 studies focused on both.The most-reported mental health issues were anxiety, depression, distress, stigmatization, risk of infection, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while the most reported physical health issues were physical abuse, exposure to the virus, exhaustion, burnout, underachievement, sleep deprivation, low life standard, and financial problems.
Downloads
References
Abdelghani M, El-Gohary HM, Fouad E, Hassan MS. Addressing the relationship between perceived fear of COVID-19 virus infection and emergence of burnout symptoms in a sample of Egyptian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2020;27(1):1–9.
Abdelghani M, Mahdy R, El-Gohari H. Health anxiety to COVID-19 virus infection and its relationship to quality of life in a sample of health care workers in Egypt: a cross-sectional study. Arch Psychiatry Psychother. 2021;23(1):19–28.
Abdulah DM, Mohammedsadiq HA, Liamputtong P. Experiences of nurses amidst giving care to COVID‐19 patients in clinical settings in Iraqi Kurdistan: A qualitative descriptive study. J Clin Nurs. 2021;
Abu-Elenin MM. Immediate psychological outcomes associated with COVID-19 pandemic in frontline physicians: a cross-sectional study in Egypt. BMC Psychiatry. 2021;21(1):1–9.
Adja KYC, Golinelli D, Lenzi J, Fantini MP, Wu E. Pandemics and social stigma: Who’s next? Italy’s experience with COVID-19. Public Health. 2020;185:39.
Ahmed GK, Ramadan HK-A, Refay SM, Khashbah MA. Comparison of knowledge, attitude, socioeconomic burden, and mental health disorders of COVID-19 pandemic between general population and health care workers in Egypt. Egypt J Neurol psychiatry Neurosurg. 2021;57(1):1–11.
Ajab S, Ádam B, Al Hammadi M, Al Bastaki N, Al Junaibi M, Al Zubaidi A, et al. Occupational Health of Frontline Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Snapshot of Summer 2020. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11410.
Ajwa N, Al Rafee A, Al Rafie H, Alrafee N, Alduhaimi N, Zainaldeen F, et al. Psychological status assessment of medical and dental staff during the covid-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia. Med Sci. 2020;24(106):4790–7.
Al Ammari M, Sultana K, Thomas A, Al Swaidan L, Al Harthi N. Mental health outcomes amongst health care workers during COVID 19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Front Psychiatry. 2021;1550.
Al Ghafri T, Al Ajmi F, Anwar H, Al Balushi L, Al Balushi Z, Al Fahdi F, et al. The Experiences and Perceptions of Health-Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Muscat, Oman: A Qualitative Study. J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720967514.
Al Mahyijari N, Badahdah A, Khamis F. The psychological impacts of COVID-19: a study of frontline physicians and nurses in the Arab world. Ir J Psychol Med. 2021;38(3):186–91.
Al Sulais E, Mosli M, AlAmeel T. The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physicians in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Saudi J Gastroenterol Off J Saudi Gastroenterol Assoc. 2020;26(5):249.
Alah MA, Ali K, Abdeen S, Al-Jayyousi G, Kasem H, Poolakundan F, et al. The psychological impact of COVID-19 on health care workers working in a unique environment under the umbrella of Qatar Red Crescent Society. Heliyon. 2021;e07236.
AlAteeq DA, Aljhani S, Althiyabi I, Majzoub S. Mental health among healthcare providers during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health. 2020;13(10):1432–7.
Albahri AH, Alnaqbi SA, Alnaqbi SA, Alshaali AO, Shahdoor SM. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Primary Healthcare Centers in Dubai: A Cross-Sectional Survey, 2020. Front Public Heal. 2021;9.
Alenazi TH, BinDhim NF, Alenazi MH, Tamim H, Almagrabi RS, Aljohani SM, et al. Prevalence and predictors of anxiety among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Public Health. 2020;13(11):1645–51.
Al-Hanawi MK, Mwale ML, Alshareef N, Qattan AMN, Angawi K, Almubark R, et al. Psychological distress amongst health workers and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020;13:733.
Aljehani YM, Othman SA, Telmesani NK, Alghamdi RA, AlBuainain HM, Alghamdi ZM, et al. Stress and psychological resilience among general surgery residents during COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Med J. 2020;41(12):1344.
Al-Jumaili AA, Al-Fatlawi BG, Al-Jalehawi AK, Al-Hamadani FY, Alsawad OS. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers: save the frontline fighters. Int J Pharm Pract. 2021;
Allugunti V.R (2022). A machine learning model for skin disease classification using convolution neural network. International Journal of Computing, Programming and Database Management 3(1), 141-147
Almater AI, Tobaigy MF, Younis AS, Alaqeel MK, Abouammoh MA. Effect of 2019 coronavirus pandemic on ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia: a psychological health assessment. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2020;27(2):79.
Alnazly E, Khraisat OM, Al-Bashaireh AM, Bryant CL. Anxiety, depression, stress, fear and social support during COVID-19 pandemic among Jordanian healthcare workers. PLoS One. 2021;16(3):e0247679.
Alqutub S, Mahmoud M, Baksh T. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2021;13(5).
Alwaqdani N, Amer HA, Alwaqdani R, AlMansour F, Alzoman HA, Saadallah A, et al. Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Perceived Stress Scale Measures. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2021;1–12.
Alzaid EH, Alsaad SS, Alshakhis N, Albagshi D, Albesher R, Aloqaili M. Prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2020;9(9):4904.
Aon MH, Al-Shammari OZ, Aljenfawi MK, Aoun AH. Psychological impact of the covid-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in Kuwait. Am J Res Med Sci. 2020;5(1).
Arafa A, Mohammed Z, Mahmoud O, Elshazley M, Ewis A. Depressed, anxious, and stressed: What have healthcare workers on the frontlines in Egypt and Saudi Arabia experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic? J Affect Disord. 2021;278:365–71.
Atkins JL, Masoli JAH, Delgado J, Pilling LC, Kuo C-L, Kuchel GA, et al. Preexisting comorbidities predicting COVID-19 and mortality in the UK biobank community cohort. Journals Gerontol Ser A. 2020;75(11):2224–30.
Ayad Z, Al Tabbah S, Hazimeh B, Sinno L. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic among Health-care Professionals in Lebanon and Iraq. World Soc Psychiatry. 2021;3(1):36.
Badahdah A, Khamis F, Al Mahyijari N, Al Balushi M, Al Hatmi H, Al Salmi I, et al. The mental health of health care workers in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2020;0020764020939596.
Belayachi J, Benammi S, Chippo H, Bennis RN, Madani N, Hrora A, et al. HEALTHCARE WORKERS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS At EARLY PHASE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MOROCCO. medRxiv. 2021;
Cai H, Tu B, Ma J, Chen L, Fu L, Jiang Y, et al. Psychological impact and coping strategies of frontline medical staff in Hunan between January and March 2020 during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hubei, China. Med Sci Monit Int Med J Exp Clin Res. 2020;26:e924171-1.
Chan MF, Al‐Shekaili M, Al‐Adawi S, Hassan W, Al‐Said N, Al‐Sulaimani F, et al. Mental health outcomes among health‐care workers in Oman during COVID‐19: A cluster analysis. Int J Nurs Pract. 2021;e12998.
Chou W-P, Wang P-W, Chen S-L, Chang Y-P, Wu C-F, Lu W-H, et al. Risk perception, protective behaviors, and general anxiety during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among affiliated health care professionals in Taiwan: comparisons with frontline health care professionals and the general public. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(24):9329.
Cook BL, Trinh N-H, Li Z, Hou SS-Y, Progovac AM. Trends in racial-ethnic disparities in access to mental health care, 2004–2012. Psychiatr Serv. 2017;68(1):9–16.
Dong Z-Q, Ma J, Hao Y-N, Shen X-L, Liu F, Gao Y, et al. The social psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical staff in China: A cross-sectional study. Eur Psychiatry. 2020;63(1).
Dr. Naveen Nandal, Ms. Nisha Nandal, Dr. Kirti Mankotia, Ms. Neetu Jora. (2021). Investigating Digital Transactions in the Interest of a Sustainable Economy. International Journal of Modern Agriculture, 10(1), 1150 - 1162. Retrieved from http://www.modern-journals.com/index.php/ijma/article/view/1378
Elhadi M, Msherghi A, Elgzairi M, Alhashimi A, Bouhuwaish A, Biala M, et al. Psychological status of healthcare workers during the civil war and COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. J Psychosom Res. 2020;137:110221.
Elhadi M, Msherghi A, Elgzairi M, Alhashimi A, Bouhuwaish A, Biala M, et al. Burnout syndrome among hospital healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil war: a cross-sectional study. Front psychiatry. 2020;11:1426.
Elhadi M, Msherghi A, Elgzairi M, Alhashimi A, Bouhuwaish A, Biala M, et al. The mental well-being of frontline physicians working in civil wars under coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic conditions. Front Psychiatry. 2021;1531.
Elkholy H, Tawfik F, Ibrahim I, Salah El-din W, Sabry M, Mohammed S, et al. Mental health of frontline healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 in Egypt: a call for action. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2020;0020764020960192.
Foundation. MH. Coronavirus: The divergence of mental health experiences during the pandemic. 2020;
Geoffroy PA, Le Goanvic V, Sabbagh O, Richoux C, Weinstein A, Dufayet G, et al. Psychological support system for hospital workers during the Covid-19 outbreak: rapid design and implementation of the Covid-Psy hotline. Front psychiatry. 2020;11:511.
Guessoum SB, Moro MR, Mallet J. The COVID-19 pandemic: do not turn the health crisis into a humanity crisis. Prim care companion CNS Disord. 2020;22(4):26179.
Hawari FI, Obeidat NA, Dodin YI, Albtoosh AS, Manasrah RM, Alaqeel IO, et al. The inevitability of Covid-19 related distress among healthcare workers: Findings from a low caseload country under lockdown. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0248741.
Holmes EA, O’Connor RC, Perry VH, Tracey I, Wessely S, Arseneault L, et al. Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2020;7(6):547–60.
Huang Y, Zhao N. Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 outbreak in China: a web-based cross-sectional survey. Psychiatry Res. 2020;288:112954.
Intriago, C. Z., & Posligua, T. I. Q. (2020). Telecommunications and virtualization in times of pandemic: impact on the electrical engineering career. International Journal of Physical Sciences and Engineering, 4(3), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.29332/ijpse.v4n3.630
Jahan F, Al Zadjali NMI, Siddiqui M, Al Moqbali SAM. Mental health status among Health Care Workers in Primary care exposed to COVID-19 pandemic in North Batinah, Oman. Eur J Mol Clin Med. 8(03):2021.
Jahrami H, BaHammam AS, AlGahtani H, Ebrahim A, Faris M, AlEid K, et al. The examination of sleep quality for frontline healthcare workers during the outbreak of COVID-19. Sleep Breath. 2021;25(1):503–11.
Joshua R, Chehab F, David R, Salim NA. Impact of work stress during COVID-19 epidemic on job satisfaction and job performance among nurses in critical care units, United Arab Emirates 2020. Int J Clin Exp Med Res. 2021;5(2):225–31.
Kader N, Elhusein B, Al Abdulla S, Hamza AH, Al Maslamani M, Chandra P, et al. Risk Perception and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Among Healthcare Workers in Primary and Secondary Healthcare Settings in Qatar: A National Study. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:21501327211039710.
Kassem AM, Talaat H, Shawky S, Fouad R, Amer K, Elnagdy T, et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers of a gastroenterological service in a tertiary care facility. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2020;21(3):151–5.
Khamis F, Al Mahyijari N, Al Lawati F, Badahdah AM. The Mental Health of Female Physicians and Nurses in Oman during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Oman Med J. 2020;35(6):e203.
Khattab MF, Abou-Madawi AM. Current effect of COVID-19 global pandemic on the professional and life profiles of the Egyptian spine surgeons. SICOT-J. 2020;6.
Kumar, S. (2022). A quest for sustainium (sustainability Premium): review of sustainable bonds. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, Vol. 26, no.2, pp. 1-18
Latif F, Ahmed SR, Farhan S, Watt F, Azeem MW. Predictors of Psychological Distress in Health Care Staff in Qatar during COVID-19 Pandemic. Pakistan J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):1782.
Latif R, Alali S, AlNujaidi R, Alotaibi L, Alghamdi N, Alblaies M. COVID-19: Risk Stratification of Healthcare Workers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and Their Knowledge, Attitude, and Fears. Cureus. 2021;13(11).
Mahgoub I, Abdelrahman A, Abdallah TA, Ahmed KAHM, Omer MEA, Abdelrahman E, et al. Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Work-family imbalance and Coping strategies among Healthcare Professionals in Khartoum State Hospitals, Sudan, 2021. 2021;
Mahmood NMA, Saleem M, Khadka S, Alkamel MAAM, Khudhiere MMSSK, Adnan MAJA. Psychological effect of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals of Yemen and coping strategies. 2021;
Marvaldi M, Mallet J, Dubertret C, Moro MR, Guessoum SB. Anxiety, depression, trauma-related, and sleep disorders among healthcare workers duirng the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021;
Michel J-P, Ecarnot F. The shortage of skilled workers in Europe: its impact on geriatric medicine. Vol. 11, European geriatric medicine. Springer; 2020. p. 345–7.
Mohsin SF, Agwan MA, Shaikh S, Alsuwaydani ZA, AlSuwaydani SA. COVID-19: Fear and anxiety among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study. Inq J Heal Care Organ Provision, Financ. 2021;58:00469580211025225.
Norhayati MN, Che Yusof R, Azman MY. Prevalence of Psychological Impacts on Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Asia. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(17):9157.
Okpua NC, Edeogu OC, Hami R, Mujar NMM. Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Health Care Workers in Africa and Asian Countries: A Systematic Review. Malaysian J Med Heal Sci. 2021;118–30.
Oneib B, Hasnaoui M. PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON HEALTH WORKERS IN MOROCCO: RESULTS OF A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY. JMSR. 2021;7(3):909–16.
Pearson A. The Joanna Briggs Institute model of evidence-based health care as a framework for implementing evidence. Model Fram Implement evidence-based Pract Link Evid to action. 2010;185–203.
Saeed BA, Shabila NP, Aziz AJ. Stress and anxiety among physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region: An online survey. PLoS One. 2021;16(6):e0253903.
Said RM, El-Shafei DA. Occupational stress, job satisfaction, and intent to leave: nurses working on front lines during COVID-19 pandemic in Zagazig City, Egypt. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2021;28(7):8791–801.
Salari N, Khazaie H, Hosseinian-Far A, Ghasemi H, Mohammadi M, Shohaimi S, et al. The prevalence of sleep disturbances among physicians and nurses facing the COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Global Health. 2020;16(1):1–14.
Saragih ID, Tonapa SI, Saragih IS, Advani S, Batubara SO, Suarilah I, et al. Global Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among healthcare workers during The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Nurs Stud. 2021;104002
Sehsah R, Gaballah MH, El-Gilany A-H, Albadry AA. Psychological distress among Egyptian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2021;94(4):731–40.
Shahrour G, Dardas LA. Acute stress disorder, coping self‐efficacy and subsequent psychological distress among nurses amid COVID‐19. J Nurs Manag. 2020;28(7):1686–95.
Shaker NM, Sabry N, Alkasaby MA, Rabie M. Predictors of stress among a sample of Egyptian healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2021;28(1):1–6.
Shaukat N, Ali DM, Razzak J. Physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: a scoping review. Int J Emerg Med. 2020;13(1):1–8.
Slama H, El Kefi H, Taamallah K, Stambouli N, Baffoun A, Samoud W, et al. Immediate Psychological Responses, Stress Factors, and Coping Behaviors in Military Health-Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia. Front psychiatry. 2021;12:734.
Suryasa, I. W., Rodríguez-Gámez, M., & Koldoris, T. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Health Sciences, 5(2), vi-ix. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v5n2.2937
Tan BYQ, Chew NWS, Lee GKH, Jing M, Goh Y, Yeo LLL, et al. Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers in Singapore. Ann Intern Med. 2020;173(4):317–20.
Thomaier L, Teoh D, Jewett P, Beckwith H, Parsons H, Yuan J, et al. Emotional health concerns of oncology physicians in the United States: fallout during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One. 2020;15(11):e0242767.
Van Dorn A, Cooney RE, Sabin ML. COVID-19 exacerbating inequalities in the US. Lancet (London, England). 2020;395(10232):1243.
Villar RC, Nashwan AJ, Mathew RG, Mohamed AS, Munirathinam S, Abujaber AA, et al. The lived experiences of frontline nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Qatar: A qualitative study. Nurs Open. 2021;
Wadoo O, Latoo J, Iqbal Y, Chandrappa NSK, Chandra P, Masoodi NA, et al. Mental wellbeing of healthcare workers working in quarantine centers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar. Qatar Med J. 2021;2020(3):39.
Widjaja, G. (2021). Impact of human resource management on health workers during pandemics COVID-19: systematic review. International Journal of Health & Medical Sciences, 4(1), 61-68. https://doi.org/10.31295/ijhms.v4n1.850
Zaki NFW, Sidiq M, Qasim M, Aranas B, Hakamy A, Ruwais NA, et al. Stress and psychological consequences of COVID-19 on health-care workers. J Nat Sci Med. 2020;3(4):299.
Zhang C, Yang L, Liu S, Ma S, Wang Y, Cai Z, et al. Survey of insomnia and related social psychological factors among medical staff involved in the 2019 novel coronavirus disease outbreak. Front psychiatry. 2020;11:306.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2022 International journal of health sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Articles published in the International Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS) are available under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Authors retain copyright in their work and grant IJHS right of first publication under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles in this journal, and to use them for any other lawful purpose.
Articles published in IJHS can be copied, communicated and shared in their published form for non-commercial purposes provided full attribution is given to the author and the journal. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
This copyright notice applies to articles published in IJHS volumes 4 onwards. Please read about the copyright notices for previous volumes under Journal History.
