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2000
Volume 7, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 2666-7967
  • E-ISSN: 2666-7975

Abstract

Introduction

Some evidence shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on the mental health status of different sections of society, including the medical staff.

Aims

The current study was conducted with the aim of investigating the mental health status of obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) assistants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 23 hospitals across Iran in 2021 (January-March). Four hundred OB-GYN assistants were randomly and voluntarily enrolled in the study. The instrument used in this study was the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), which had four subscales, including somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. To collect data and to reach respondents in distant areas, the questionnaires were provided to the OB-GYN assistants by the online platform.

Results and Discussion

The mean age of the OB-GYN assistants was 32.3±2.6 years, and all were female. Of 400 OB-GYN assistants, 132 (33%) had no distress and 268 (67%) had psychiatric distress. According to subscales scoring, 72 (18%), 68 (17%), 92 (23%) and 64 (16%) had severe distress in somatic symptoms, anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression, respectively.

Conclusion

Considering that more than half of the Iranian OB-GYN assistants had poor mental health, it seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative and destructive effect on the mental health of OB-GYN assistants. In this situation, they need psychological support and appropriate intervention.

© 2026 Bentham Science Publishers
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2024-10-15
2026-01-02

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/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975312570241004115950
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Evaluation of Mental Health Status of Obstetrics and Gynecology Assistants during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran - A Cross-sectional Study
Coronaviruses 7, E26667975312570 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0126667975312570241004115950
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975312570241004115950
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975312570241004115950
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): COVID-19; data analysis; gynecology; mental health status; obstetrics; social dysfunction

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