POINT PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS AMNOG NURSES AND PARA-MEDICAL STAFF IN TEACHING HOSPITALS IN MOSUL

Abstract

Symptoms of mental illness greatly vary dependent upon the specific disorder, but may include mild to chronic forms of distress, depression, anxiety, emotional disturbance, difficulties with attention, loss of cognitive abilities, maladaptive behavior, or the presence of hallucinations or delusions. This descriptive study was conducted throughout the period between (1rst) October (2006) to (15th) August (2007) to identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among sub-medical staff in Mosul Teaching Hospitals. The sample of the study were convenience, consisted of two groups: Nurses (250) and Paramedical staff (250); X-Ray personnel, Laboratories personnel, pharmacists and Physiotherapists working in Teaching Hospitals . International scale (DASS) was depended to identify the mental disorders. Data were collected through interview method with the subjects. Mean of score, Frequency and Percentage were used as statistical methods to analyze the data obtained. Almost of the items of the scale for the three disorders were excellent, (16%) of nurses were depressed while (7.6%) of the paramedical staff were depressed; (20.8%) of nurses were anxious while (7.6%) of the paramedical staff were anxious; (10%) of nurses were stressed while (6%) of the paramedical staff were anxious. The study concluded that there are more chances of exposure to psychological disorders among nurses than among other health personnel. It recommended that development of nurses and sub-medical personnel, relationship, communications with patient's family and community,; financially, psychologically and legally may be undertaken.