A cross-sectional study for the assessment of psychological impact of covid-19 pandemic on Pakistani healthcare workers

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic placed substantial psychological demands on healthcare workers, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey between 2020 and 2021 to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among healthcare workers across multiple provinces of Pakistan. A total of 100 participants, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, were enrolled. Mental health outcomes were measured using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DASS-21 standardized assessment tools. We found that more than half of the participants reported severe levels of anxiety and stress, while over one-third experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Female healthcare workers and those directly involved in patient care demonstrated significantly higher psychological distress scores. Fear of transmitting COVID-19 to family members emerged as the most frequently reported significant stressor, followed by increased workload and shortages of protective equipment. Our findings highlight the psychological vulnerability of Pakistani healthcare workers during public health emergencies and emphasize the need for targeted mental health interventions, including counseling services, workload management strategies, and institutional support programs to improve resilience during future crises.