Impact of Covid-19 on Quality of Life of Health Care Workers in Kuwait

Impact of Covid-19 on Quality of Life of
Health Care Workers in Kuwait (Pilot
Study)

Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care providers face several challenges in treating patients
with COVID-19. They work long hours to reduce the spread of infection, while wearing full protective
personal equipment. They face an increased number of patients and workload, social isolation from
families and friends and stigma of getting the virus. Besides, health care workers must also continue to
provide health care services to non-COVID-19 patients and also keep up with their personal
responsibilities. They must keep balance between giving care to themselves, their families and work. This
can be done by determining their quality of life, its determinants, and the effect COVID-19 has on their
quality of life. With this information, the Government and other stakeholders can identify ways of
enhancing its health workers' quality of life.
This objective of this study is to assess and analyze the effect of COVID-19 on the quality of life
of Kuwait's health care workers. A total of a three hundred and eighty-two health workers from various
health centers and hospitals will be selected and evaluated on their quality of life by answering 26 preset
questions that cover various aspects of an individual’s life. A quality-of-life questionnaire in brief from
World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) will be used. The study will be conducted over eighteen
months.

Contents
Abstract..........................................................................................................................................................................................2
1. Project Background...................................................................................................................................................................4
2. Objectives...................................................................................................................................................................................5
3. Importance.................................................................................................................................................................................6
4. Methods:.....................................................................................................................................................................................6
5. Statistical Analysis.....................................................................................................................................................................7
6. Results.......................................................................................................................................................................................10
7. Discussion.................................................................................................................................................................................11
8. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................................13
References.....................................................................................................................................................................................15

1. Project Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s quality of life, including healthcare workers.
The lockdowns, social isolation and fear of the virus caused a disruption of the normal way of
life worldwide. Additionally, the quality of life of healthcare workers was significantly affected
as many were infected by COVID-19 owing to the fact that they were in the front line fighting
the virus. There is evidence that healthcare workers’ quality of life directly affects the quality of
healthcare services provided (Crawford, 2006). Healthcare workers are at the forefront of
fighting the pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of healthcare workers
should be assessed and determined to formulate strategies that ensure they have improved quality
of life.
According to the World Health Organization, quality of life is a person’s standard of happiness
based on their perceived position, values, goals, and expectations (WHO, 2004). This means that
quality of life varies and is inclusive of all aspects of a person's life they hold as determinants of
their quality of life (Felce & Perry, 1995). Practicing medicine can be stressful and demanding,
despite it being fulfilling and meaningful to everyone in society (Crawford, 2006). This is
especially so during a pandemic. Healthcare workers have been at the forefront of battling the
COVID-19 virus to ensure everyone's well-being.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
virus (SARS-CoV-2) (Velavan & Meyer, 2020). The first case was identified in Wuhan, Hubei,
China, in December 2019 before rapidly spreading worldwide, causing the ongoing global
pandemic. As of December 27, 2020, COVID-19 had infected 80,815,253 people worldwide and
caused death in 1,766,796 cases (Roser et al., 2020). The first confirmed COVID-19 case in
Kuwait was announced on February 24, 2020 (Alkhamis et al., 2020). As of December 26, 2020,
confirmed cases of COVID-19 were at 149,653, with 145,579 recoveries and 931 deaths.
(COVID 19 updates, State of Kuwait, 2020)
Pre-Covid period, medical workers were reported to be at a high risk of suicide worldwide. One
in four healthcare professionals reported suffering from anxiety and depression, while one in
three workers reported Insomnia. COVID-19 has stretched the limits of the healthcare systems