Minor psychiatric disorders among nursing workers during the pandemic: a multicenter study

Abstract Objective To analyze the factors associated with the presence of minor psychiatric disorders among nursing workers working in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with 845 nursing workers. An electronic form composed of sociodemographic, labor, health conditions and Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 was used. Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Poisson Regression tests, expressed in Prevalence Ratio (95% CI), were applied. Results The prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders (49.3%) was associated with increased alcohol consumption (PR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.4), not practicing physical activity (PR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3-1.8), starting the use of medication in the pandemic (PR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3-1.7), not having a fixed work shift (PR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1-1.9) and feeling afraid of exposure to the risk of contamination (PR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3) Conclusion In the current pandemic, minor psychiatric disorders are associated with alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, use of medication, work shift and fear of contamination.