The Influence of Stress in Modulating the Relationship between Coronavirus Disease-2019 Disease and Sleep Quality

INTRODUCTION: The emotional well-being of health-care employees is critical to the quality of patient care and the efficient operation of health services. Not only has the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) virus caused significant rates of morbidity and mortality around the world but it has also caused sleep disruption, stress, and pandemic-related anxiety among health-care workers. The current study examines associations among COVID-related fear, stress, and sleep quality in health professionals. METHODS: From January to June 2021, a cross-sectional survey was done in Kerala among doctors, nurses, paramedical workers, and housekeeping employees. About 822 health-care providers from various districts took part in the study by completing a Google forms-based semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Descriptive statistical analysis, percentages, and ratios were employed to summarize the data. RESULTS: The majority of participants were between the ages of 46 and 55 (35%). Forty-four percent and 46% of respondents, respectively, were concerned about contracting COVID-19 and spreading the virus to others. COVID-19 restrictions were the primary concern of psychological distress among respondents (90%). Approximately one-fourth of the subjects reported using sleep medication, 42% took 30 min or longer to fall asleep, and 39% slept for 6 h or less. Poor sleep quality was reported to be prevalent in 62% of the population. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to cause significant levels of fear, stress, and sleep disruption in health-care professionals. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant threat to their psychological health, and public health strategies should focus on improving it.