Table 5 Response frequencies and summed scores for stress reduction factors and personal coping strategies
Statement | Not at all effectivea (%) | Mildly effectivea (%) | Moderately effectivea (%) | Extremely effectivea (%) | Summed Score |
Factors that might help reduce stress (N = 158) | |||||
Positive attitude from colleagues in your workplace | 1 (0.6) | 15 (9.5) | 70 (44.3) | 72 (45.6) | 529 |
None of your colleagues getting COVID-19 after starting strict protective measures | 2 (1.3) | 8 (5.1) | 59 (37.3) | 89 (56.3) | 551 |
Improvement in COVID-19 patients’ condition | 5 (3.2) | 24 (15.2) | 78 (49.4) | 51 (32.3) | 491 |
Clear guidelines from workplace for infection prevention | 0 (0.0) | 8 (5.1) | 63 (39.9) | 87 (55.1) | 553 |
Personal protective equipment provided to you by workplace | 1 (0.6) | 5 (3.2) | 50 (31.6) | 102 (64.6) | 569 |
Your family members or friends not getting COVID-19 | 2 (1.3) | 10 (6.3) | 56 (35.4) | 90 (57.0) | 550 |
Decrease in COVID-19 cases reported in the news | 8 (5.1) | 22 (13.9) | 56 (35.4) | 72 (45.6) | 508 |
Likelihood that you would get extra compensation for your exposure to COVID-19 | 20 (12.7) | 38 (24.1) | 51 (32.3) | 49 (31.0) | 445 |
All healthcare professionals working together on the front line | 2 (1.3) | 20 (12.7) | 56 (35.4) | 80 (50.6) | 530 |
Confidence in fellow medical staff in case you got sick from COVID-19 | 4 (2.5) | 10 (6.3) | 64 (40.5) | 80 (50.6) | 536 |
Not having to do overtime | 11 (7.0) | 37 (23.4) | 57 (36.1) | 53 (33.5) | 468 |
Sharing jokes or humour among colleagues | 12 (7.6) | 26 (16.5) | 67 (42.4) | 53 (33.5) | 477 |
Getting free meals at your workplace | 30 (19.0) | 43 (27.2) | 50 (31.6) | 35 (22.2) | 406 |
Statement | Never usedb (%) | Sometimes usedb (%) | Often usedb (%) | Always usedb (%) | Summed Score |
Personal coping strategies (N = 157) | |||||
Followed strict personal protective measures | 0 (0.0) | 14 (8.9) | 59 (37.3) | 84 (53.2) | 541 |
Kept separate clothes for work or used scrubs to minimize risk of transmission | 41 (25.9) | 29 (18.4) | 36 (22.8) | 51 (32.3) | 411 |
Considered every patient encountered as COVID-19 case and using full protective gear even if patient was COVID-19 negative | 43 (27.2) | 44 (27.8) | 34 (21.5) | 36 (22.8) | 377 |
Read about COVID-19, its prevention and mechanisms of transmission | 1 (0.6) | 15 (9.5) | 70 (44.3) | 71 (44.9) | 525 |
Avoided going out to public places to minimize COVID-19 exposure | 14 (8.9) | 48 (30.4) | 64 (40.5) | 31 (19.6) | 426 |
Did relaxation activities (e.g. involved in prayers, sports, exercise etc.) | 15 (9.5) | 41 (25.9) | 66 (41.8) | 35 (22.2) | 435 |
Talked to family and friends to relieve stress and obtain support | 13 (8.2) | 54 (34.2) | 61 (38.6) | 29 (18.4) | 420 |
Motivational self-talk to face COVID-19 outbreak with positive attitude | 60 (38.0) | 50 (31.6) | 29 (18.4) | 18 (11.4) | 319 |
Talked to fellow colleagues or other doctors to relieve stress and obtain support | 14 (8.9) | 64 (40.5) | 57 (36.1) | 22 (13.9) | 401 |
Tried to be busy at home in activities that would keep your mind away from COVID-19 | 43 (27.2) | 56 (35.4) | 39 (24.7) | 19 (12.0) | 348 |
Avoided doing overtime to reduce exposure to COVID-19 patients | 81 (51.3) | 41 (25.9) | 26 (16.5) | 9 (5.7) | 277 |
Avoided media news about COVID-19 and related fatalities | 123 (77.8) | 23 (14.6) | 8 (5.1) | 3 (1.9) | 205 |
Vented emotions by crying, screaming etc. | 139 (88.0) | 13 (8.2) | 3 (1.9) | 2 (1.3) | 182 |