First cross-sectional study examines the mental health of Pharmacists during the Covid-19 pandemic
The study entitled, ‘Mental health outcomes and workplace quality of life among South African pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study’ showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the mental health of South African pharmacists. The CAPRISA study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, highlights a need for appropriate, well-designed interventions to support the psychological well-being and improve the quality of working lives of pharmacists in South Africa to strengthen this health care sector during a pandemic response.
Using structured and validated tools, the study examined online survey responses of 953 pharmacists (38% response rate from 2454 who were approached), and found that the prevalence of anxiety was 66.1%, depression was 62.9%, stress was 73.8% and low quality- -of- working life (QoWL) was 51.3% amongst South African pharmacists.
The researchers found: living apart from family, female gender, ethnicity and a history of mental illness were primary indicators that contributed to poor mental health.
Lead author and CAPRISA Vulindlela Research Pharmacist Mrs Sherishka Dhindayal supervised by Dr Tanuja Gengiah Head of Pharmacy undertook this first cross-sectional study for her Masters in Pharmacy Practice degree, providing valuable information on the negative impact on the mental health of South African pharmacists during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more reading see: Dhindayal S, et al. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice 2022;15(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s40545-022-00463-7
