Relationship between Demographic, Socioeconomic Factors, and Psychological Responses of Health Care Providers during COVID–19 Pandemic, Kenya
Authors: Bundi Jared M. , Poipoi Moses W. , Morema Everlyne N. 
Published: April 2024

Context: Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread across the globe, causing distress among various populations, including healthcare providers. This disease has had an unparalleled effect on the world's economic situation, livelihood, and mental and physical well-being across the globe.

Aim: To assess the healthcare providers' psychological responses and related demographic and socioeconomic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).

Methods: This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu County, Kenya. A stratified sampling method was used in the selection of 202 healthcare providers. The questionnaire used consisted of four components: demographic and socioeconomic factors. Standardized questionnaires measured the symptoms of depression and anxiety, the 9–item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ - 9) and the 7–item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD - 7), respectively.

Results: Among 202 healthcare providers, the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 57.4% and 59.9%, respectively. After using Pearson Chi-square for the relationship of GAD with demographic characteristics, it was revealed that age (OR 0.1, p = <0.001), gender (OR 0.4, p = 0.002), and marital status (OR 4.2, p = <0.001) were significantly associated. Also, the relationship of GAD with socioeconomic factors revealed that the level of education (OR 0.5, p = 0.019), income level (OR 4.6, p = <0.001), living alone (OR 0.4, p = 0.004), living with partner and children (OR 2.4, p = 0.002), living with parent (OR 2.7, p = 0.001) and employment terms (OR 3.3, p = <0.001), were related with symptoms of anxiety. Concerning depressive symptoms and demographic characteristics, age (OR 0.5, p = 0.006) and marital status (OR 3.2, p = <0.001) were significantly associated. Also, the relationship of depression with socioeconomic factors revealed that living alone (OR 0.4, p = 0.002), living with a partner (OR 4, p = 0.007), living with a partner and children (OR 1.7, p = 0.045), living with parent (OR 2.5, p = 0.001) and having a chronic medical condition (OR 0.5, p = 0.048) were related with depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: There was a relatively high prevalence of anxiety and depression among JOOTRH healthcare providers during the pandemic. Those with a partner and children, those living without parents, high-income level, level of education undergraduate and above, were married, above 30 years, female, and being on permanent employment were significantly related to anxiety. Those living with someone else, without a chronic medical condition, being over 30 years and married were more likely to have depression than their counterparts. The study recommends providing psychological support to healthcare providers to enhance their psychological resilience during pandemics.