Mental Health of Medical Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Russia: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

This is the first study in Russia regarding the mental health of medical workers during a pandemic. In this survey, the study of medical workers during pandemic COVID-19 in Russia reported high rates of symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is a higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression among young employees working directly in high-risk areas of the infection. Protecting medical workers is an important component of public health measures for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Special measures to improve the mental health of medical workers should be based on their needs. Special attention needs to be paid to young medical workers working in areas with a high risk of infection. HighlightsO_LImedical workers are at high risk of developing mental disorders during a pandemic COVID-19; C_LIO_LIthe overall prevalence of GAD (5 or more points on the GTD-7 scale) and depressive symptoms (5 or more points on the PHQ-9 scale) among medical workers in Russia during the pandemic period was 48.77% and 57.63% respectively; C_LIO_LIthere is a higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression among young employees working directly in high-risk areas of the infection; C_LIO_LIthe provision of personal protective equipment (69.2%), the optimization of the work and rest regime during the shift (58%), the support of management (52.7%) and relatives (51.1%) are the main areas that reduce the psycho-emotional stress of medical workers during a pandemic. C_LI