'COVID-Somnia' in healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Hospital practice (1995), cilt.50, sa.4, ss.273-281, 2022 (Scopus)

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Sleep disorders associated with COVID-19 pandemic are termed as ‘COVID-somnia.’ In this

study, we sought to assess the prevalence of COVID-somnia in healthcare workers, establish the factors

that trigger this condition, and to investigate its relationship with anxiety and depression symptoms.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2021 and June 2021, and it included

healthcare workers who served during the pandemic. Participants’ demographic data, Beck Depression

and Anxiety Inventories, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and

Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used, and the results were statistically analyzed. Multiple analyses of

factors affecting ESS and ISI scores were evaluated using binary logistic regression model and PSQI

score were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model.

Results: A total of 1,111 healthcare workers who served during the pandemic voluntarily enrolled to

the study. The mean age was 37.3 ± 8.48 years, and 63.5% were females. Our study showed that the

healthcare workers, evaluated with the PSQI, experienced a deterioration of sleep quality. Primary

factors affecting this are working on the front line, the presence of chronic diseases, depression, and

anxiety. Regression analyses identified depression and anxiety as the common factors affecting ESS, ISI,

and PSQI scores.

Conclusion: Raising awareness regarding COVID-somnia among healthcare workers, who play a leading

role in curbing the pandemic, would reduce sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. It would also

contribute to the planning and implementation of preventive and therapeutic mental health programs

with a multidisciplinary approach.