Abstract

Background and objectives: Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) in primary care physicians (PCPs) have yet to be assessed in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The objectives of this study were to measure the prevalence of DAS in PCPs in the public health centers and examine the factors that influence the development of DAS.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2014 using Lovibond’s short form of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, a self-report measure of DAS. A total of 336 PCPs working in the public sector at the time were identified from the Ministry of Health database and contacted to answer demographic questions included in the questionnaire.
Results: Out of 336 PCPs, 210 participated in the questionnaire with a response rate of 63%. Most of the PCPs were women (78.1%), aged between 35 and 50 years (60%), and were either family physicians or consultant family physicians. Also, 39.5% of the PCPs were found to be dissatisfied with their job. The prevalence rates of DAS were 38.6%, 37.6%, and 38.6%, respectively, ranging from mild to extremely severe. Working as nonconsultant family physicians, working for longer hours per week, dissatisfaction with the job, and taking more number of sick leaves were the risk factors for depression and/or anxiety. However, among PCPs aged less than 35 years, lower salary range and dissatisfaction with the job were the risk factors for stress.
Conclusion: The levels of mental health difficulties in PCPs cannot be ignored and need prompt action. These issues need to be addressed to provide support to PCPS and ensure the unaffected patient quality of care. Recommendations on how to improve current working conditions should be suggested to the relevant authorities.

Keywords: Depression, anxiety, stress, DASS-21, family physician, Bahrain