Personal protective equipment and mental health symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Department/School
Psychology
Publication Title
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between access to adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and mental health outcomes among a sample of U.S. nurses. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered in May 2020 to Michigan nurses via three statewide nursing organizations (n = 695 respondents). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with mental health symptoms. RESULTS: Nurses lacking access to adequate PPE (24.9%, n = 163) were more likely to report symptoms of depression (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.31, 2.94; P = 0.001), anxiety (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.12, 2.40; P = 0.01) and post-traumatic stress disorder (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22, 2.74; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare organizations should be aware of the magnitude of mental health problems among nurses and vigilant in providing them with adequate PPE as the pandemic continues.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Arnetz, J. E., Goetz, C. M., Sudan, S., Arble, E., Janisse, J., & Arnetz, B. B. (2020). Personal protective equipment and mental health symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 62(11), 892–897. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001999
Comments
E. Arble is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Psychology.