Generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder among healthcare professionals in Mbarara city, southwestern Uganda: the relationship with professional quality of life and resilience

Abstract

Background: Marking the lives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) are tensions arising from the conflict between fulfilling their duty of care and the demands of the healthcare setting, creating concern for HCPs’ mental. In our study, we aim to determine the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among HCPs in Southwestern Uganda and to establish how the disorders’ prevalence affects professional quality of life and resilience. Method: In total, 200 HCPs from two health facilities (one private and one public) in Southwestern Uganda enrolled in an analytical cross-sectional study. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to determine MDD, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to determine GAD, the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQOL-5) to determine professional quality of life and the Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire (NMRQ) to determine resilience. Results: The prevalence of MDD was 11.0% and of GAD was 14.5%. High compassion fatigue increased the likelihood of MDD [aPR=3.38, pvalue<0.001]. However, high compassion satisfaction and exceptional resilience reduced the likelihood of GAD i.e., [aPR=0.50, pvalue<0.001] and [aPR=0.50, pvalue<0.001] respectively. Being male [aPR=2.41, pvalue=0.005] and being married [aPR=1.79, pvalue=0.017] increased the likelihood of having MDD. The likelihood of GAD among HCPs decreased with age, [aPR=0.97, pvalue=0.022]. Conclusion: There is a significant occurrence of MDD and GAD among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Southwestern Uganda. Compassion fatigue is linked to an elevated prevalence of MDD, while compassion satisfaction and high resilience scores are associated with a reduced prevalence of GAD. We recommend creation and execution of extensive mental health initiatives designed for HCPs.