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The impact of various factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers in the Republic of North Macedonia

Since December 2019, the world has been facing an unprecedented infection caused by a new strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to affecting every aspect of daily life, further affects the already high levels of stress, anxiety and depression faced by healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. Protecting the mental health of HCWs should be recognized as an imperative during a pandemic.
This paper aims to examine, by means of an anonymous survey, the attitudes and opinions of HCWs regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their mental health condition and the causes of mental disabilities. The survey encompassed HCWs (doctors, nurses/technicians and pharmacists) engaged in COVID-19 centers at the University Clinical Center „Majka Tereza“, Skopje.
The results of the conducted research indicate that during the engagement in the COVID-19 centers, the HCWs faced the burnout syndrome, fear of infecting primarily family members, colleagues or negative patients, isolation etc. Most of the participants never sought psychological help, sometimes thought about how they could no longer endure the situation, and often experienced problems sleeping, but they didn’t use sleeping or calming pills. Almost half of the participants felt that they were not adequately protected in the workplace. The negative consequences of mental health are more pronounced in HCWs who are directly engaged in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. This research contributes to a better understanding of the mental health of HCWs and the need for interventions by the system in the form of education and care.

Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare workers, risks, measures, mental health