Levels of Anxiety and Fear among Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Aim. The aim of this review is to find out what levels of anxiety and fear have been shown by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background. Health security crises affect not only physical health but also the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals due to a higher level of exposure. Evaluation. A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA statement. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. The literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) electronic databases based on the keywords that the research question yielded following the PECOT strategy. For the selection of articles, original articles, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, short communication articles, and case reports were included. Then, a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, screening the results to obtain a total of 18 articles, which were used to elaborate the study. Key Issues. Fear and anxiety levels were described in a total of 18 selected studies. The main fear-related concerns of the nurses were associated with the fear of infecting their family or friends and the fear of the death of a family member or friend. Conclusions. The main psychological impact on nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic was related to fear, anxiety, stress, and depression. Fear of infecting family members or of being infected were the main impacts perceived by nurses. Implications for Nursing Management. In general, high scores were found for levels of fear and anxiety, although the figures varied by country and time of data collection. Resilience was considered the main tool for coping with the loss and trauma experienced by nurses.

Fear and Anxiety in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the 2020–2022 pandemic on the levels of fear and anxiety in pregnant women and to identify risk and protective factors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were consulted for studies published between January 2020 and August 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool for non-randomised studies. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. A high prevalence of levels of fear and anxiety were observed. Risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor support from partners, or intolerance of uncertainty were identified for high levels of fear. Regarding anxiety, risk factors such as maternal age, social support, financial status, or concern about being able to maintain antenatal follow-ups were identified. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of pregnant women through increased levels of fear and anxiety. It has not been possible to establish a relationship between significant factors such as gestational age or health emergency control measures with high levels of fear or anxiety.

Fear and Anxiety in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the 2020-2022 pandemic on the levels of fear and anxiety in pregnant women and to identify risk and protective factors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were consulted for studies published between January 2020 and August 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool for non-randomised studies. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. A high prevalence of levels of fear and anxiety were observed. Risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor support from partners, or intolerance of uncertainty were identified for high levels of fear. Regarding anxiety, risk factors such as maternal age, social support, financial status, or concern about being able to maintain antenatal follow-ups were identified. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of pregnant women through increased levels of fear and anxiety. It has not been possible to establish a relationship between significant factors such as gestational age or health emergency control measures with high levels of fear or anxiety.

Anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the UK general population: A cross-sectional study.

There is still a generalized feeling of uncertainty in the population due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as restrictions on daily routines and social contact, accompanied by a large number of infections, negatively affect different areas of people's lives and, therefore, their mental health. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the general UK population, using the Anxiety and Fear to COVID-19 Assessment Scale (Ansiedad y Miedo al COVID-19) (AMICO) scale. A descriptive, cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire was conducted in a sample of the UK general population in 2021. Socio-demographic and employment variables were included. The AMICO scale was included to measure fear and anxiety about COVID-19. The relationship between variables was studied with a categorical regression analysis. In general, participants regarded themselves as well-informed about the pandemic, although 62.6% had only received 1 dose of the vaccine. Regarding the AMICO scale the total score was 4.85 (out of 10; standard deviation 2.398). Women showed higher scores for the AMICO than men. The bivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in relation to self-confidence, amount of information received, and vaccination variables as related to the mean AMICO scores. An average level of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 is shown in the general UK population, which is lower than most of the studies that assessed the impact of the pandemic on the general population.

Adaptation and initial psychometric study of the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 scale in the United Kingdom population.

Objective: The aim of the study was the initial psychometric study to validate the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 (AMICO) assessment scale in the general population of the United Kingdom population. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, psychometric validation and descriptive study was conducted, performing univariate and bivariate analyses, as well as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The sample was 658 people living in the United Kingdom over 16 years. Of the total, 80.5% were female, with a mean age of 48.25 years (SD = 14.861). A mean score for the AMICO scale of 4.85 (SD = 2.398) was obtained, with a range of scores from 1 to 10. The study of percentiles and quartiles allowed for the identification of three proposed levels of anxiety. Conclusion: The AMICO_UK scale is reliable to measure the presence of anxiety and fear related to the COVID-19 disease in the United Kingdom population. The majority of the United Kingdom population presented low levels of anxiety and fear at the time the scale was administered.

Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Burnout and Work Engagement in Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The psychological distress that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced has generated negative effects on workers, and in one way or another this has affected their work engagement within companies. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between psychological distress, burnout and work engagement in workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology, taking articles from the Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools for non-randomised studies. Results: 24 articles were selected. All the articles found an association between psychological distress, burnout or other factors and work engagement. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on work engagement and a negative relationship with psychological distress and burnout, hence the importance of companies taking measures to minimise levels of psychological distress and burnout.

Initial Psychometric Development of the Fear and Anxiety to COVID-19 Scale in Nursing Professionals: An Occupational Health Assessment Tool.

Objective: The effects caused by COVID-19 on the physical and mental health show the need to renew and create tools that specifically measure the fear and anxiety caused by the pandemic in healthcare professionals. The aim of the study was to measure fear and anxiety of COVID-19 in the nursing population group using a specific assessment scale. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in Spain based on questionnaires. The sample was selected by non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Univariate and bivariate descriptive analyses were performed. For qualitative variables, a categorical regression analysis was performed. Results: The sample consisted of 1012 nurses residing in Spain, 86.6% of whom were women, with a mean age of 40.84 years (SD = 11.51). The bivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the mean score of the scale and the variables sex, level of education, m2 of the dwelling, and work area. Conclusion: The validation of this scale provides a new management tool that should enable managers to assess anxiety and fear among their nurses, whether in the current COVID-19 pandemic or in other possible epidemiological situations to come.

Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Burnout and Work Engagement in Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Objective: The psychological distress that the COVID-19 pandemic has produced has generated negative effects on workers, and in one way or another this has affected their work engagement within companies. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between psychological distress, burnout and work engagement in workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology, taking articles from the Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools for non-randomised studies. Results: 24 articles were selected. All the articles found an association between psychological distress, burnout or other factors and work engagement. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on work engagement and a negative relationship with psychological distress and burnout, hence the importance of companies taking measures to minimise levels of psychological distress and burnout.

Modulating factors of fibromyalgia in women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A protocol for systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects mostly women and is related to stressors. The aim of this study was to assess how the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Springer Link databases, following the recommendations of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools for non-randomized studies. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies were included. Most results indicated a worsening in the mental health of women with fibromyalgia during the pandemic, and this in turn impacted on physical health. CONCLUSION: The mental health of women with fibromyalgia was more affected during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic period than that of non-fibromyalgia sufferers. This was also reflected in the worsening of symptoms and weakness in performing daily activities.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of rehabilitation area professionals: A systematic review.

Background: The role of the physiotherapist is vital in the recovery of post-COVID-19 patients, but fear of contagion is a possible feeling among healthcare professionals. The objective of this study is to assess the mental health effects that COVID-19 has had on healthcare workers, including rehabilitation care, in times of pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA format in the Pubmed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases between July and September 2022. Keywords included were "healthcare providers," "COVID-19," "Mental Health," and "Psychological Distress." Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in this review. The study population was healthcare professionals including the rehabilitation services. In total, 4 studies reported exclusively on anxiety and stress levels in physiotherapists providing care during the pandemic. Conclusions: The mental health of healthcare professionals has been compromised during the pandemic. However, initially, research was only focused on physicians and nurses, so the need arises to include those professionals, such as physiotherapists, who are also in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=367664, identifier: CRD42022367664.

Initial Psychometric Development of the Fear and Anxiety to COVID-19 Scale in Nursing Professionals: An Occupational Health Assessment Tool

Objective The effects caused by COVID-19 on the physical and mental health show the need to renew and create tools that specifically measure the fear and anxiety caused by the pandemic in healthcare professionals. The aim of the study was to measure fear and anxiety of COVID-19 in the nursing population group using a specific assessment scale. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in Spain based on questionnaires. The sample was selected by non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Univariate and bivariate descriptive analyses were performed. For qualitative variables, a categorical regression analysis was performed. Results The sample consisted of 1012 nurses residing in Spain, 86.6% of whom were women, with a mean age of 40.84 years (SD = 11.51). The bivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the mean score of the scale and the variables sex, level of education, m2 of the dwelling, and work area. Conclusion The validation of this scale provides a new management tool that should enable managers to assess anxiety and fear among their nurses, whether in the current COVID-19 pandemic or in other possible epidemiological situations to come.

Use of preventive measures, beliefs and information received about COVID-19 and their effects on mental health, in two stages of the pandemic in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have highlighted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical and mental health. The aim of this study is to analyse the effects on mental health in two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 and February 2021) in the population of Colombia. METHODS: Observational, prospective, cross-sectional study along two periods, April 2020 and February 2021. The sample (N = 1309) was extracted from the Colombian population, only including individuals over the age of 18 and residing in Colombia during the pandemic. The IMPACTCOVID-19 questionnaire was used, previously validated in Spain and cross-culturally adapted to the Colombian population, which included sociodemographic data, use of preventive measures, information received and the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for psychological distress (PD). Participants had to sign an informed consent before taking part in the investigation. RESULTS: A higher level of PD was observed among women (M = 3.99, SD = 3.39) (p < .001), in those who lived without a partner (M = 3.83, SD = 3.47) (p = .036), and in those with a worse perception of health (M = 6.27, SD = 3.51) (p < .001). PD decreased in the second period from M = 3.99 (SD = 3.36) to M = 2.98 (SD = 3.30) (p < .001), coinciding with a higher use of preventive measures, less distress caused by COVID-19 and greater confidence in healthcare professionals and clinical structures. In the second period, the time spent in getting informed decreased, but the sources of information were the same, principally social media and official sources. CONCLUSIONS: Better information on the effects and preventive measures to prevent the pandemic improves confidence in the health system and its professionals, reducing the level of PD. There is a need for quality information on social networks and an adaptation of telemedicine to address the pandemic effects on mental health.Key messagesPsychological distress (PD) decreased in February 2021, as compared to April 2020, due to a greater use of preventive measures against COVID-19, and the confidence on the recommendations made by health officials and professionals.Higher PD has been found in women and people who lived without a partner, in line with studies performed in other countries.The accessibility to quality information on the pandemic should be promoted by the Official Health Authorities, thus counteracting data that could be classified as "fake news".

Work Engagement, Work Environment, and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ecuador.

Work environments can interfere with the mental health of workers as generators or reducers of psychological distress. Work engagement is a concept related to quality of life and efficiency at work. The aim of this study was to find the relationship between work environment factors and work engagement among the Ecuadorian general population during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their levels of psychological distress. For this purpose, a cross-sectional, descriptive study using a set of questionnaires was performed. Sociodemographic and work environment data, work engagement (UWES-9 scale) scores, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) scores were collected. The variables that predicted 70.2% of psychological distress during the first phase of the pandemic were being female, with a low level of vigour (work engagement dimension), being stressed at work, and low job satisfaction. The sample showed an intermediate level of engagement in both the global assessment and the three dimensions, being higher in those without psychological distress. With effective actions on work environment factors, mental health effects may be efficiently prevented, and work engagement may be benefited. Companies can reduce workers' psychological distress by providing safe and effective means to prevent the risk of contagion; reducing the levels of work conflict, work stress, or workload; and supporting their employees with psychological measures in order to maintain ideal working conditions.

COVID-19 information received by the Peruvian population, during the first phase of the pandemic, and its association with developing psychological distress: Information about COVID-19 and distress in Peru.

ABSTRACT: It is suspected that the information the population has about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) determines both its preventive measures and its effects on mental health. The internet and social media are the sources that have largely replaced the official and traditional channels of information. The objective of this study is to analyse the influence of the sources used by the population in Peru to obtain information on COVID-19 and its association with developing psychological distress (PD) and preventive measures against contagion.1699 questionnaires were analysed. A previously validated instrument adapted to Peru was used. Participants were questioned about the information received regarding COVID-19, its sources, time of exposition, assessment, or beliefs about it. Mental health was measured with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analysis were performed, developing a classification and regression tree for PD based on beliefs and information about the pandemic.The most used source of information on COVID-19 in Peru was social media and this is associated with developing PD, both in the general population and among health professionals. The quality of the information about treatments for COVID-19 is associated with PD in the general population, whereas prognosis generates more distress among healthcare professionals. The biggest concern is transmitting the virus to family members, close persons, or patients, with more confidence in health professionals than in the health system.The health authorities should use the social media to transmit quality information about COVID-19 and, at the same time, to gather in real time the opinions on the implemented preventive measures. For all, this it is necessary to have higher credibility in the population to increase the confidence in the health system, looking at basic aspects for compliance with prevention measures and improvement of mental health.

History of contact with the SARS-COV-2 virus and the sense of coherence in the development of psychological distress in the occupational health professionals in Spain.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals, among them, on medical and nursing occupational specialists. This study describes the psychological distress that this group has suffered, analyzing the effect that the sense of coherence related with the history of contact with infected people has generated in their mental health. Cross-sectional descriptive study using online questionnaires. Data were collected on a sample of 499 subjects, representing 42.0% and 38.8% of the associations of specialists in Occupational Medicine and Nursing, respectively. A univariate data analysis, independence test, and the CHAID multivariate method were carried out. The percentage of workers with high psychological distress was higher among women than among men; this was also higher in public sector workers than in the private sector. No differences have been observed regarding psychological distress and educational level, coexistence, having children, working away from home, having a pet, or between being a physician or nurse. The most efficient measure to prevent psychological distress was acting regarding the comprehensibility dimension of the sense of coherence. Sex, contact with any infected person, age, living as a couple, working in public or private centers, the availability of diagnostic tests, and the correlation with the manageability dimension were modulating factors. Sense of coherence is an effective measure to prevent psychological distress due to contact with people affected by COVID-19 in Occupational Health professionals.

Herramientas de vigilancia digital para el rastreo de contactos de personas contagiadas de SARS-CoV-2

OBJETIVO: En tiempos de pandemia, la gestión de casos y el rastreo de contactos pueden ser elementos diferenciales para el control de la propagación de la misma. El objetivo de esta revisión fue evaluar las herramientas digitales empleadas para el rastreo de contactos de personas contagiadas de SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión sistemática exploratoria en las bases de datos electrónicas Pubmed, Scopus y Web of Science el día 29 de mayo de 2020 a través de los descriptores: coronavirus, digital surveillance y contact tracing. Se seleccionaron finalmente un total de 11 estudios. RESULTADOS: Los resultados mostraron cómo algunos países están implantando herramientas digitales para el rastreo de contactos a través de aplicaciones para móviles, las cuales permiten compartir datos de los usuarios a través del GPS y/o Bluetooth del dispositivo. Los términos sobre la privacidad y confidencialidad de los datos de la población están, en algunos casos, en entredicho. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de herramientas de vigilancia digital para el rastreo de contactos de personas contagiadas de una enfermedad infecciosa, como la provocada por el SARS-CoV-2, puede ser capital para reducir el número de personas infectadas y reducir la propagación del virus BACKGROUND: In times of pandemic, case management and tracking people with contact can be differential elements for controlling the spread. The objective of this review was to evaluate the digital tools used to track contacts of people infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A systematic exploratory review was conducted in the electronic databases Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science on May 29, 2020 through the descriptors: coronavirus, digital surveillance and contact tracing. A total of 11 studies were finally selected. RESULTS: The results showed that some countries are implementing digital tools for contact tracking through mobile apps that allow user data to be shared via the device's GPS and/or Bluetooth. The terms on the privacy and confidentiality of the population data are, in some cases, questionable. CONCLUSIONS: The use of digital surveillance tools to track contacts of people infected with an infectious disease, such as SARS-CoV-2, can be key to reducing the number of people infected and reducing the spread of the virus