Article
Which burden do health-care workers experience during COVID-19? Results of a mixed-methodology, international comparative study (BHCW)
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Authors
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Megan Evans
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Souaad Chemali
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Nadine Muller
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Brogan Geurts
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Francisco Pozo Martin
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Hanna-Tina Fischer
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Barbara Buchberger
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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René Umlauf
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Heide Weishaar
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
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Charbel El Bcheraoui
- Robert Koch-Institut, Centre for International Health Protection, Evidence-based Public Health, Deutschland
| Published: | August 30, 2022 |
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Outline
Text
Background/research question: Health care workers (HCWs) are key to health systems resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported globally, with particularly high incidences occurring in Europe, and vaccination coverage in Africa remaining low, thereby stressing health systems which are already under-resourced. In both regions, response capacities are met with challenges, especially with regard to human resources and personal protective equipment. HCWs have been under considerable stress due to a high workload, increased risk of infection, and concomitant negative consequences on health and well-being. The pandemic has thus put the spotlight on the generally problematic work conditions of many HCWs including shift work, poor pay, and lack of recognition. Our aim is to identify the burdens of HCWs in Germany and Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will investigate the role of stressors, coping and support.
Methods: The study focuses on two target groups: HCWs and decision makers with responsibility for policies and management related to HCWs. Data will be presented from interviews, focus group discussions and a survey with HCWs from three of Nigeria’s six geo-political areas and three German federal states reflecting different burden of COVID-19 as well as from semi-structured expert interviews.
Results: Stressors related to work and private life that were experienced by HCWs as well as sources of stress, support needs, and the impact of these factors on health and well-being will be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on analysing the role of coping strategies and sources of support, including peer, community, institutional, and governmental support. An assessment of statistically significant predictors of HCWs’ health and well-being will be provided.
Conclusion: Key stressors that influence HCWs’ health and well-being as well as crucial protective factors and sources of support that can help HCWs to cope with such stressors during pandemics will be discussed. On the basis of the evidence generated by the study, specific recommendations for how to alleviate stress and better support HCWs and eventually both strengthen health systems resilience and improve the general work situation of HCWs can be derived.
Competing interests: The authors have no conflicts of interestto declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
