Meta-analysis of the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: Computers were used to search CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, PubMed, and other Chinese and English databases. The search period was limited to December 2019 to April 2022. Cross-sectional studies collected data on the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers since the onset of COVID-19. The STATA 15.1 software was used for the meta-analysis of the included literature. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were included, with a sample size of 18,382 people. The meta-analysis results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the total prevalence of anxiety among frontline healthcare workers was 43.00%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.36–0.50, and the total prevalence of depression was 45.00%, with a 95% CI of 0.37–0.52. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that prevalence of anxiety and depression in women, married individuals, those with children, and nurses was relatively high. Frontline healthcare workers with a bachelor's degree or lower had a higher prevalence of anxiety. The prevalence of depression was higher among frontline healthcare workers with intermediate or higher professional titles. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers was high. In the context of public health emergencies, the mental health status of frontline healthcare workers should be given full attention, screening should be actively carried out, and targeted measures should be taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection among frontline healthcare workers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022344706.