Abstract

Background and aims
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was a pandemic with physical, mental and socioeconomic effects. We aimed to study the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCWs) in North India.
Design and Methods
An online survey using SurveyMonkey was floated through Whatsapp among HCWs, using ‘chain-referral sampling’. Complete responses were included. Prevalence of anxiety and depression were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Data analysis used IBM-SPSS software to calculate predictors of anxiety and depression .
Results 
Among 949 responses, ranging between 24 and 65 years with 560(59%) males. There were 194(20.5%) doctors, 357(37.6%) nurses, 19(2.0%) technicians, 49(5.2%) office staff, 100(10.5%) housekeeping staff and 72(7.6%) security guards among others. 
Approximately 38%(361) of the HCWs were anxious, with 13.3% having significant anxiety. Females were significantly more anxious (48.6%vs30.7%;p<0.001), as were clinical HCWs (50.1%vs21.8%;p<0.001) and HCWs <50 years (41.4%vs20.5%;p<0.001) . Those with regular salaries were less anxious than others (27.5%vs43.9%;p<0.001). 
Nearly 61%(574) HCWs were depressed, with 23% having significant depression. Depression was significantly more among HCWs <50 years (67.5%vs44.4%;p<0.001) and clinical HCWs (65.3%vs53.8%;p<0.001). 
Income of 39% HCWs was affected, and 22%(207) reported increase in alcohol abuse. 54% reported media sensationalism worsened anxiety.
On regression analysis, female sex was an independent predictor of anxiety, while younger age and clinical work were independent predictors of anxiety and depression.
Conclusions
Nearly 38% HCWs were anxious and 61% depressed. Female sex was an independent predictor of anxiety, while younger age and clinical work were independent predictors of anxiety and depression.