The emotional state of medical workers and HIV-infected patients in relation to the COVID-19 epidemic

Objective. To investigate self-assessments of emotional state and behavioral strategies to reduce stress related to coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in HIV-infected patients and healthcare workers. Subjects and methods. A questionnaire survey covered 192 respondents: 67 healthcare workers in Moscow (Group 1), 79 HIV-infected patients (Group 2), and 46 respondents in the comparison group (Group 3). Results. When assessing the risks for COVID-19 infection, the respondents in Group 1 more commonly reported an increased infection risk (34.32%). When answering a question indicator, the respondents in Group 2 more often chose the option of the same risk as most people ( 72.15%). This group was noted to have also the largest share of risk denial (18.98%). 78.26% of the respondents in the comparison group considered the risk of getting coronavirus infection to be the same as the majority of people. The median self-assessment of emotional state in relation to coronavirus among the respondents in Group 2 (9.0 [5.0; 8.0] points) was statistically significantly higher than that in Group 1 (6.0 [5.0; 8.0]points; p < 0.001) and in Group 3 (6.0 [5.0; 8.0] points;p <0.001). When describing behavioral strategies aimed at reducing anxiety in relation to COVID-19, the group of strategies aimed at maintaining mental ecology was most representative: 26, 36, and 35% in Groups 1, 2, 3, respectively. These were respiratory exercises, meditation, reading, and hobbies in Group 1; meditation, going to the cottage, listening to music, respiratory exercises, and reading in Group 2; reading, going to the cottage, and meditation in Group 3. The avoidance strategies («I try not to think about it», «I do not think about it») were presented in 16, 9 and 9%, respectively. The stress in relation to COVID-19 was reduced, by drinking alcohol, eating, and smoking cigarettes, by survey participants in Groups 1 and 3 (9 and 6%, respectively). Conclusion. Correction of the detected def iciencies required comprehensive measures: the development of consistent measures aimed at studying the needs of various target groups during the COVID-19 epidemic, at increasing their commitment towards maintaining health and supporting the most adaptive behavioral strategies.

COVID-19, HIV infection, coronavirus infection, COVID-19