ABSTRACT
Introduction: Due to the growing prevalence of COVID-19 in the world and the increasing workload of health care providers, health workers face many problems such as long working hours, being away from family, and worrying about themselves and their families, which can affect their health and consequently challenge their job performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following the COVID-19 epidemic in health workers of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 228 Shahroud University of Medical Sciences health workers were studied from July 22 to August 22, 2020. Participants included nursing, medical, radiology, and laboratory personnel. The Demographic Information Questionnaire and PTSD Checklist - Civilian version (PCL-C) was completed online. Descriptive statistics and the multivariate linear regression model were used to analyze the data. Results: Based on the results, 85.5% of people were experienced PTSD. The regression determination coefficient (R2) was 15.1, so that men experienced 4.88 units of lower posttraumatic stress than women. People whose relatives died of COVID-19 experienced 7/04 unit higher PTSD than others. Conclusion: Given that a significant proportion of health workers experienced PTSD, senior treatment center managers must include more supportive measures to reduce PTSD in their work schedule. © 2021 by the Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Background. The worldwide emergence of COVID-19 has brought about various psychological consequences, including anxiety, fear of death, etc. Objectives. This study was aimed at determining the proportion of death anxiety and its covariates during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shahroud city, Iran. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,215 participants. Data was collected by convenient sampling method with online tools, including an awareness and attitude checklist toward COVID-19, Templar Death Anxiety Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate linear regression analysis). The significant level for all tests was considered to be 0.05. Results. The results indicated that the mean score ± standard deviation of death anxiety and GAD were 6.46 ± 3.33 and 6.27 ± 4.83, respectively. Of all participants, 49.1% reported high death anxiety. Parallel to the high anxiety level, a significant increase in death anxiety was observed (p < 0.001). Moreover, factors such as younger age and the death of a family member due to COVID-19 were significantly correlated with death anxiety (p = 0.024 and p = 0.001). Conclusions. Assessing anxiety among exposed clients and applying anxiety reduction and coping methods, such as problem-solving techniques, as well as providing comprehensive and practical information on methods to control and adapt with this disease, are recommended to be implemented in health care systems. © by Wydawnictwo Continuo.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The worldwide emergence of COVID-19 has been associated with diverse consequences, including anxiety. Hope is believed to act as a motivation to enable one to cope with the anxiety. This study was conducted to identify the role of hope in alleviating anxiety due to the COVID-19 outbreak during the primary phase among community dwellers in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 3,565 subjects with the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools used included the COVID-19 knowledge checklist, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaires and Snyder Hope Scale. Participants were asked to fill in the questionnaires online. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate linear regression analysis). Results: Participants' mean scores of anxiety and hope were 6.064.52 and 31.27 +/- 4.52, respectively. The results indicated that 27.1% of the changes in the anxiety scores were predictable with some of the variables examined in this study. A high score of hope was directly associated with a lower level of anxiety. In addition, the number of hours spent following news and information on COVID-19 was significantly related to anxiety level. Moreover, female gender, urban residence, and having relatives suffering from COVID-19 were significantly related to a higher level of anxiety (P<0.05). Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality associated with the COVID-19 outbreak had brought a lot of anxiety among community dwellers. Hope, potentially, can contribute to overcoming anxiety. Therefore, health policymakers can introduce appropriate social interventions to enable the community to cope with stress and anxiety.