The impact of psychological factors on bereavement among frontline nurses fighting Covid-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably changed the workplace and social relationships of nurses. As potential factors, uncertainty, stigma, and exposure of nurses' families to risk have disturbed the process of providing healthcare services for patients infected by COVID-19. Accordingly, this study aimed at determining the impact of psychological factors on stigma among frontline nurses fighting COVID-19. The extant paper was carried out based on the descriptive-analytical method for April-June 2020. A total of 312 nurses working in educational-medical centers in Ardabil, Iran, were selected using the census method to participate in this research. To collect data, demographic features, stigma, mental health, perceived stress, and hardiness questionnaires were used. The collected data were analyzed using statistical correlation tests, multivariate regression, and descriptive tests through SPSS v.22 Software. The mean score of stigma in nurses equaled 28.36 ± 10.55. Results of the correlation coefficient showed a positive relationship between the mean score of stigma and stress (P ≤ 0.01) as well as the negative relationship between mental health and hardiness (P ≤ 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that mental health could be the predictor of stigma. Therefore, these factors should be identified and controlled to mitigate stigma under such critical circumstances.

Transmission Modes of COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral infection that was initiated in Wuhan, China, and has spread around the world. The high prevalence and rapid transmission between individuals of COVID-19 have become an international challenge that requires careful consideration. We aimed to review the current evidence of COVID-19 transmission modes. METHODS: This study was a systematic review performed to identify current evidence of COVID-19 transmission modes. We searched selected keywords in six key databases to discover sources relevant to the main objective of the study. To identify studies meeting the inclusion criteria, the authors screened the titles and abstracts of the retrieved documents. The appropriate articles were then selected and their results were discussed to make the final inclusion. RESULTS: We identified five potential transmission modes of COVID-19, including airborne, droplet, contact with contaminated surfaces, oral and fecal secretions. Furthermore, some studies have pointed out other modes of virus transmission, such as person to person, and direct contact with animals. CONCLUSION: Droplet and contact with contaminated surfaces are the most frequent transmission modes of COVID-19. However, fecal excretion, environmental contamination, and fluid pollution may also contribute to viral transmission. The possibility of fecal transmission in COVID-19 has implications, especially in areas that are poorly hygienic. Environmental pollution can be caused by patients with SARS-CoV-2 through respiratory droplets and feces. Consequently, the human environment will become a potential medium of virus transmission.

Covid-19 effects on the workload of Iranian healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the workload and mental health of Iranian medical staff using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and NASA -Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) Questionnaire between March and April 2020, respectively. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from March 5th to April 5th, 2020. To evaluate the workload and mental health of participants NASA-TLX and GHQ-12 online questionnaires were distributed. Data were entered into software SPSS (Version 23) and T-test, ANOVA, Regression methods were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Health workers who encountered COVID- 19 patients, were subjected to more task load compared to those who had no contact with COVID- 19 patients at the workplace (p <  0.001). In terms of the subscale score of NASA-TLX, nurses had more scores in mental pressure, physical pressure, time pressure (temporal), and frustration compared to the other jobs (p <  0.05). Moreover, nurses had significantly more workload compared to the other jobs. CONCLUSIONS: Type of job, the shift of work, educational level, and facing COVID-19 affected the score of NASA-TLX. NASA-TLX scores were higher in nursing compared to the scores of other health staff groups. The results of this study indicate that the scores of NASA-TLX and GHQ-12 among staff who had contact with COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than those who did not face COVID-19 patients. We suggested that a comprehensive assistance should be provided to support the well-being of healthcare workers especially nurses and healthcare workers who treated COVID-19 patients.