Stressors in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The coronavirus epidemic started in Tunisia on March 12, 2020. Nursing students in hospital internship are among the professional categories most exposed to the virus. Objective(s): To identify stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic among senior nursing students at the military health school. Method(s): Descriptive, retrospective study conducted in March 2021 of the 60 senior nursing students enrolled in the military health school. We developed a self-questionnaire with questions about potential stressors during a COVID-19 pandemic. Result(s): Our population was 54.3% male and 45.7% female. The mean age was 22.6 years. Most of the senior students (54.3%) worked in units dedicated to the care of patients with COVID-19. The main stressors reported by the students were fear of seeing patients die (84%), contaminating family (81.4%), being assigned to a COVID unit (78%), lack of protective equipment (75%), catching COVID-19 (67%), contaminating colleagues (64%), delay in teaching (61%), lack of competence and making mistakes (53%). Conclusion(s): The COVID-19 pandemic is a time of major stress for nursing students. Psychological support should be provided.

Evaluation of stress and coping skills of nursing students during a COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The coronavirus epidemic started in Tunisia in March 2020. Health personnel have been in the front line in the fight against this virus since that date. The COVID units of the hospitals and the different hospital services have been reinforced by student nurses (trainees, volunteers.). Objective(s): To evaluate the degree of stress perceived during the COVID-19 pandemic by student nurses. To identify coping skills during a COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): Descriptive, retrospective study conducted in March 2021 on the 60 senior nursing students enrolled in the military health school. We used the Cungi (1997) stress scale and developed a self-questionnaire on coping skills used by the students. Result(s): Our population was 54.3% male and 45.7% female. The average age was 22.6 years. The majority of the senior students (54.3%) worked in units dedicated to the care of patients with COVID-19. On the Cungi Stress Rating Scale, students had very low (13%), low (27%), and high (60%) stress levels. The main coping methods used were watching movies and listening to music (81%), playing sports (80%), praying (75%), rigorously applying social distancing measures and wearing protective gear (73%), talking with friends or psychologists (62%), doing yoga or meditation (34%), drinking herbal tea, alcohol, or taking psychotropic drugs (23%). Conclusion(s): The COVID-19 pandemic is a time of major stress for nursing students. The coping methods used seem insufficient. Psychological support should be provided.

Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics

Introduction The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than one million people. Scientists around the world are looking for an effective vaccine against this virus. Objectives The objective of our study was to assess the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics. Methods Descriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. We studied the associations between the different characteristics of our population and the decision to accept or refuse vaccination against COVID-19. Results A total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). The rapid discovery of the vaccine was hoped for by 94.4%. Vaccination was considered a means of collective protection by 84.5%. However, only 52.8% agreed to be vaccinated by the COVID-19 vaccine. The main factors significantly associated with refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine were previous refusal of influenza vaccination (p = 0.006). Conclusions Apprehension about vaccination does not appear to be sparing the future COVID-19 vaccine. To achieve vaccination coverage that would protect health care workers, several awareness and communication activities must be carried out.

Paramedics feelings and beliefs about COVID-19

Introduction The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health services were overwhelmed by the demands for care. Paramedics were both the main actors in the fight and the victims of this pandemic. Objectives The objective of our work was to assess paramedics’ feelings and beliefs about COVID-19. Methods Descriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. we studied paramedics’ feelings and beliefs about COVID-19. Results A total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). The feelings about COVID-19 were anxiety in 127 (78.9%) paramedics and indifference in 34 (21.1%). The factors that could influence the spread of the pandemic were divine influence (25.5%), the organized fight against viruses (70.2%), our genetics (9.9%), mutations of the virus (6.8%), the BCG vaccine (21.7%), the Tunisian climate (5.6%), our food (13%). Conclusions The beliefs and feelings of paramedics regarding COVID-19 are many and varied. These factors must be taken into consideration because they influence the involvement of paramedics in the fight against the virus and their compliance with health and safety rules.

Acceptability of prophylactic treatment against COVID-19 by paramedics

IntroductionThe year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than one million people. Scientists around the world are looking for prophylactic treatment against this virus.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to assess the acceptability of prophylactic treatment against COVID-19 by paramedics.MethodsDescriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. We studied the acceptability of prophylactic treatment by paramedics, reasons for refusal and factors that may affect this choice.ResultsA total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). Only 59 (36.6%) agreed to take prophylactic treatment for COVID-19. The main reason for refusal was fear of side effects 57 (34.7%). Sufficient hindsight was the main factor that could make them change their decisions. This refusal was definitive for 55 (34.2%) paramedics.ConclusionsFear of drug side effects exceeds the fear of COVID.19. An information and communication strategy on the value of prophylactic treatments during a pandemic must be developed.

Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics

IntroductionThe year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than one million people. Scientists around the world are looking for an effective vaccine against this virus.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to assess the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine by paramedics.MethodsDescriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. We studied the associations between the different characteristics of our population and the decision to accept or refuse vaccination against COVID-19.ResultsA total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). The rapid discovery of the vaccine was hoped for by 94.4%. Vaccination was considered a means of collective protection by 84.5%. However, only 52.8% agreed to be vaccinated by the COVID-19 vaccine. The main factors significantly associated with refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine were previous refusal of influenza vaccination (p = 0.006).ConclusionsApprehension about vaccination does not appear to be sparing the future COVID-19 vaccine. To achieve vaccination coverage that would protect health care workers, several awareness and communication activities must be carried out.