The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of higher education staff. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of higher education staff. Materials and methods: The survey subjects were 165 university teachers of the Medical University in Varna. The following tools were used: a questionnaire to explore some aspects of the respondent's quality of life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, HADS and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Descriptive statistical methods, a t-test, correlation analysis, χ2 test and a multiple linear regression model were applied. SPSS version v.24.0 was used to process the survey data. The survey took place between October and December 2022. Results: The mean value on the anxiety scale was 5.61, SD = 4.027 and 3.62, SD = 3.39 on the depression scale. The mean score on the emotional exhaustion scale (ЕЕ) was 27.67. The mean in the depersonalization scale was 9.10, SD = 5.494. The personal accomplishment mean value was 44.78, SD = 8.006. The results from HADS depression and HADS anxiety showed a statistical significance for predicting the scores on the EE scale (β = 1.158, p = 0.0001 and β = 0.573, p = 0.021). The levels of stress before and during the pandemic had a statistically significant weak correlation with the EE scale. Conclusions: activities for general and selective prevention of occupational stress and burnout, based on stress-coping strategies, can be introduced in higher education.

Background: Burnout is a common occupational health risk among healthcare professionals. While the phenomenon has been studied in physicians and nurses, limited evidence exists regarding pharmacists and public health inspectors despite their critical role in ensuring safe medication use and protecting population health. The study aims to identify and analyze the influence of work environment characteristics on the level of professional burnout among master pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and public health inspectors. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was conducted among 491 healthcare professionals (221 master pharmacists, 151 assistant pharmacists, and 119 public health inspectors). Burnout was assessed using the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS (MP)), covering three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Work environment characteristics were examined across four domains: work tasks, stressors, occupational risks, and social environment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with IBM SPSS. Results: High levels of EE (66.6%) and DP (53%) were reported, while low PA was less frequent (6.7%). Significant factors associated with EE included time constraints (χ² = 9.985; p < 0.01), workflow disruptions (χ² = 23.987; p < 0.001), insufficient information (χ² = 22.890; p < 0.001), and lack of recognition (χ² = 16.498; p < 0.001). The social environment demonstrated the broadest impact, influencing all three burnout dimensions. Conclusions: The study found a risk of professional burnout among the surveyed groups which is associated with modifiable work environment characteristics. Preventive interventions aimed at promoting a supportive work environment could help mitigate this risk.

A multidisciplinary approach for post-COVID-19 disease prevention of the staff of the Medical University of Varna

One of the challenges in providing foster care services is the psycho-emotional stress that foster parents experience. The aim of the present study is to explore the risk factors increasing the levels of psycho-emotional stress and burnout in foster carers in the region of Gabrovo. Materials and methods: The study included 63 professional foster carers from the region of Gabrovo. We used a questionnaire designed by the research team, the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA) and a structured interview. Descriptive statistical methods and nonparametric analysis were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics Base - v. 25. Results: The main factors that contributed to the difficulties faced by foster parents in providing care were: the child's length of stay in the foster family; the child's age at the time of placement; the support provided by the state agencies, and ongoing training. Additional factors were the foster parents' income and place of residence, the child's current health and age; foster care being provided by couples.br /> Conclusion: Foster care needs to be provided in close collaboration between local authorities, state agencies, and foster carers, with continuous psychological support for both foster parents and foster children.