Prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders among nursing workers and associated factors

ABSTRACT: Objective: to identify the prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders among nursing workers in the context of COVID-19 and its associated factors. Method: cross-sectional web survey carried out between October 2021 and January 2022, with 1.073 nursing professionals. An instrument with sociodemographic and occupational variables, and a self-assessment of mental and behavioral disorders was applied to collect data. A descriptive analysis with absolute and relative frequencies and univariate and multivariate inferential analyses using Poisson Regression were conducted. Results: mental and behavioral disorders were reported by 50.8% of participants, showing a significant association with the female sex, more than 10 years in the profession, more than two employment contracts, and poor self-rated health. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of self-reported mental and behavioral disorders in the sample. The length of time working in the profession and the number of employment relationships were variables strongly associated with the outcome. Studies like these are essential to assist in the development of effective strategies for reducing risk factors to workers' health, especially those of occupational origin that can be modified.