Correlation Between knowledge level health Protective Practices and Depression Among North Indian Physiotherapist in their workplace post COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Physiotherapists’ levels of knowledge, health-protective practices for work and social life, and depression in the post-COVID-19 pandemic were examined to combat the pandemic and minimize further problems. To balance the impact of future COVID-19 outbreaks, prevention, preparation, and response were crucial. This involved vaccination, following health rules like wearing masks, testing, and adapting strategies as needed. Purpose: The study aimed to examine the relationship between the knowledge level and health-protective practices and depression among physiotherapists working in North India after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and materials: An online cross-sectional survey study among physiotherapists (interns, masters, physiotherapists) was conducted. 168 physiotherapist students were included in this study. Validated questionnaires were used for data collection, which contained 3 domains: 6 questions to assess knowledge levels, 5 questions to assess health-protective practices in work-life, 4 questions to assess health-protective practices in social life, and 9 questions to assess depression. Results:Among 168 physiotherapists, 59.9% had high COVID-19 knowledge. Health measures affected 93.8% at work, and 94% socially. Depression levels varied: 59.8% "not at all," 32.56% "several days," 21.35% "more than half the day," 5.67% "nearly every day." Conclusion:T study concluded that North Indian physiotherapists with better knowledge of health-protective practices experienced lower levels of depression post-COVID-pandemic, emphasizing the importance of education in maintaining mental and physical well-being among healthcare workers. Keywords: COVID-19, Cross-sectional studies Depression, Pandemic, Physical Therapist.背景：本研究旨在防控新冠疫情并减少后续衍生问题，对新冠疫情后物理治疗师（Physiotherapists）的知识水平、工作与社交生活中的健康防护行为及抑郁状况展开调查。为缓解未来新冠疫情暴发带来的冲击，预防措施、筹备工作与应对策略均至关重要，具体包括疫苗接种、遵守佩戴口罩等防疫规定、核酸检测以及按需调整防控方案。 目的：本研究旨在探讨新冠疫情后印度北部地区在岗物理治疗师的知识水平、健康防护行为与抑郁状况三者间的关联。 方法与材料：本研究针对物理治疗师（含实习生、硕士研究生及在岗物理治疗师）开展线上横断面调查（cross-sectional survey），最终纳入168名物理治疗师学员。数据收集采用经过信效度验证的问卷，问卷包含3个维度：6个题目用于评估知识水平，5个题目评估工作场景下的健康防护行为，4个题目评估社交场景下的健康防护行为，另有9个题目用于评估抑郁状况。 结果：在168名物理治疗师中，59.9%的受访者具备较高的新冠疫情相关知识水平。93.8%的研究对象在工作中落实了健康防护措施，社交场景中这一比例为94%。抑郁状况分布如下：59.8%的受访者表示“完全没有”抑郁症状，32.56%表示“数天”，21.35%表示“超过半天”，5.67%表示“几乎每日”。 结论：本研究表明，新冠疫情后印度北部地区掌握更佳健康防护知识的物理治疗师，其抑郁症状水平更低，这凸显了针对医护人员开展相关教育以维持其身心健康的重要性。 关键词：COVID-19、横断面研究、抑郁、大流行病、物理治疗师