Depression among health professionals during the covid-19 pandemic: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review study aims at assessing the prevalence of depression among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Introduction: Studies carried out during previous pandemics revealed an increase in the prevalence of depression among health professionals. A high prevalence of depression is also observed in some health categories, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inclusion criteria: Observational studies published from December 2019, without language restrictions in which the prevalence of depression among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic will be assessed. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHAL, PsycINFO, LILACS, SCOPUS, and The Cochrane Library will be searched for eligible studies. Two reviewers will independently screen and select studies, assess methodological quality, and extract data. Results: The prevalence of depression among health professionals is notorious, and it can highlight single mothers, with children and working on the front line. But it is also worth mentioning factors that minimize the degree of depression, this happens for some reasons, being a man, educational level and performing some type of physical activity. Conclusion: The prevalence of a higher trend prevalence in professionals in direct contact with patients with the SARS-COV-2 virus, than in times without a virus with a high infectivity power as it exists at the present time.