Canadian healthcare workers’ mental health and health behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from nine representative samples between April 2020 and February 2022
Authors: Boucher Vincent Gosselin , Haight Brook L. , Léger Camille , Deslauriers Frédérique , Bacon Simon L. , Lavoie Kim L. , Puterman Eli M. ,   for the iCARE study team, Granana Nora , Boyle Jacqueline , Danchin Margie , Enticott Joanne , Kaufman Jessica , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Caputo Eduardo , Baydoun Mohamad , Gershon Andrea , Bélanger-Gravel Ariane , Carlson Linda , Corace Kim , Dev Rubee , Drouin Olivier , Garber Gary , Boucher Vincent Gosselin , Gupta Samir , Herba Catherine , Jedwab Jack , Joyal-Desmarais Keven , Kennedy Eric , Liu Joanne , Pelaez Sandra , Poirier Paul , Presseau Justin , Puterman Eli , Rash Joshua , Saint-Charles Johanne , Stojanovic Jovana , Spivock Michael , Szczepanik Geneviève , Vallis Michael , Lemos-Hoyos Mariantonia , Kassianos Angelos , Ninot Gregory , Beraneck Mathieu , Ditzen Beate , Skoura Theodora , Francis Delfin Lovelina , Durand Hannah , Meade Oonagh , Molloy Gerry , Noone Chris , Paduano Stefania , Raparelli Valeria , Oburu Hildah , Bari Abu Zeeshan , Nagyova Iveta , Fischer Susanne , Şimşek Ceprail , Hart Joanne , Byrne-Davis Lucie , Paine Nicola , Michie Susan , Okun Michele , Gorin Sherri Sheinfeld , Thrul Johannes , Trudel-Fitzgerald Claudia , Yohannes Abebaw , Dawadi Shrinkhala , Ranakombu Kushan , Neto Daisuke Hayashi , Deslauriers Frédérique , Gagnon-Hébert Amandine , Jamil Mahrukh , Léger Camille , MacLeay Callum , Vieira Ariany Marques , O’Connor Sarah , van Allen Zackary , Torres Susana , Duval Sophie , O’Malley Johanne , Séguin Katherine , Warkentin Kyle , Nethan Sarah 
Published: August 2023

Objective

In the context of COVID-19, Canadian healthcare workers (HCWs) worked long hours, both to respond to the pandemic and to compensate for colleagues who were not able to work due to infection and burnout. This may have had detrimental effects on HCWs’ mental health, as well as engagement in health-promoting behaviours. This study aimed to identify changes in mental health outcomes and health behaviours experienced by Canadian HCWs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Nine representative samples (Ntotal = 1615 HCWs) completed the iCARE survey using an online polling firm between April 2020 (Time 1) and February 2022 (Time 9). Participants were asked about the psychological effects of COVID-19 (e.g., feeling anxious) and about changes in their health behaviours (e.g., alcohol use, physical activity).

Results

A majority of the HCWs identified as female (65%), were younger than 44 years old (66%), and had a university degree (55%). Female HCWs were more likely than male HCWs to report feeling anxious (OR = 2.68 [1.75, 4.12]), depressed (OR = 1.63 [1.02, 2.59]), and irritable (OR = 1.61 [1.08, 2.40]) throughout the first two years of the pandemic. Female HCWs were more likely than their male counterparts to report eating more unhealthy diets (OR = 1.54 [1.02, 2.31]). Significant differences were also revealed by age, education level, income, parental status, health status, and over time.

Conclusion

Results demonstrate that the impacts of COVID-19 on HCWs’ mental health and health behaviours were significant, and varied by sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., sex, age, income).