Depression and Suicidal Ideation in a Sample of Malaysian Healthcare Workers

A Preliminary Study During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15529818
AutoresHajar Mohd Salleh Sahimi (0000-0002-5753-3479, National University of Malaysia), Tuti Iryani Mohd Daud (0000-0002-9780-1191, National University of Malaysia), Lai Fong Chan (0000-0003-0958-6178, National University of Malaysia, autor de correspondencia), Shamsul Azhar Shah (0000-0003-0635-1816, National University of Malaysia), Farynna Hana Ab Rahman (0000-0003-2716-2934, National University of Malaysia), Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar (0000-0002-6262-229X, National University of Malaysia)
Año2021
Volumen12
Páginas658174-658174
Fecha de publicación2021-04-30
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
EditorialFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.658174
PMID34025479
OpenAlexW3159823482
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas48

Objective: The burden of suicidal behavior is anticipated to increase as a sequela of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is limited evidence on suicidal behavior among healthcare workers, an at-risk population. Our study aimed to investigate suicidal ideation in terms of the rate and associated factors in a sample of Malaysian healthcare workers during the early-phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A subpopulation analysis ( N = 171) was conducted within a larger, nation-wide cross-sectional study of Malaysian healthcare worker psychological distress from March 18-21, 2020. Current suicidal ideation was measured with item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The following independent variables were assessed: socio-demographic profile, occupation and service-related factors, health-anxiety (Health Anxiety Inventory, HAI), lifetime anxiety disorder and severity of depression (PHQ-9). Results: The proportion of healthcare workers with current suicidal ideation (19/171) and clinical depression (17/171) were 11.1 and 9.9%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that clinical depression was the most significant factor associated with current suicidal ideation ( p p = 0.001, OR = 115.984, 95% CI = 2.977-85.804). Service duration of more than 10 years was associated with significantly less suicidal ideation ( p = 0.049, OR = 0.072, 95% CI = 0.005-0.993). Conclusions: Depression (subthreshold and especially within the clinical range) and early-career status (<10 years in service) may be target areas of early intervention for reduction of suicidal ideation amongst healthcare workers who have served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is warranted to elucidate specific occupational stressors related to COVID-19 work conditions to tailor appropriate suicide preventive strategies in this population

Anxiety · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Distress · Environmental health · Health care · Patient Health Questionnaire · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies