ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Paramedical personnel are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients and function in a high-stress environment, contributing to the development of psychological distress. The present study aimed to examine levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among prehospital paramedics caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 72 prehospital emergency centers (city and road) affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Scielices, Kerman, Iran. Using the standard DASS-21 Questionnaire, levels of stress. anxiety, and depression were assessed in paramedics (N.=254). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean, SD, frequency, percentage) and analytic statistics such as Kolmogorov-Smimov, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. Statistical analysis was performed through SPSS 20 (IMB, Armonk. NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean scores for depression (6.30 +/- 4.91). stress (8.71 +/- 1:4.73) and anxiety (5.32 +/- 5.23) in paramedical personnel were at moderate levels. A significant difference was observed when considering level of education, work experience, work position and duty hours per month (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital professionals arc more exposed to numerous stressors, including the emotional strain of direct patient care. dangerous working conditions, and a higher workload as compared with other occupations, especially during this pandemic. Periodic mental health assessment of paramedics can play an important role in improving the quality of services provided to their communities, particularly during challenging times.
ABSTRACT
Aims With the new COVID-19, a global effort has been made to control and prevent the spread of the disease. Self-care behavior is known to be an effective way to prevent COVID 19. Physical distancing, hand washing are important examples of self-care actions. This study aimed to model and determine the predictors of self-care behavior about the new COVID-19. Instrument & Methods Cross-sectional correlational design was used for this study. This study was performed on 1083 people in Kerman Province, Iran, using the available sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the main constructs of the Health Belief Model and constructs derived from the review of the literature. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 and AMOS 18 software. Findings The mean age of the participants was 32.36±9.34, with an age range of 10 to 65 years. The model explained 72% of the variance in self-care behaviors. The SEM showed that self-efficacy (β=0.685;SE=0.097;p=0.001), perceived severity (β=0.419;SE=0.064;p=0.001), perceived benefits (β=0.288;SE=0.061;p=0.001), health importance (β=0.19;SE=0.063;p=0.001) and knowledge (β=0.248;SE=0.025;p=0.001) were positively and significantly related and perceived barriers (β=0.199, SE=0.046, p=0.001) was negatively and significantly related to self-care behaviors. Conclusion Constructs of self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, health importance, and knowledge are the main predictors of self-care and preventive behaviors associated with the novel coronavirus. Therefore, this model can promote self-care programs and predict the incidence and mortality of COVID-19. © 2021, the Authors.