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Purpose: Since healthcare workers work in the same environment with infected patients, they have a higher risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission compared to other parts of society, and accordingly, they experience more stress. The aim of this study to investigate the fear of COVID-19, work stress, and affecting factors in prehospital healthcare workers. Material and Methods: The research has a descriptive and cross-sectional design. The research was completed with a total of 399 individuals. Data were collected online using an introductory information form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the General Work Stress Scale. Results: The level of fear of COVID-19 was higher in women compared to men (B=-1.451, p=0.012), in married individuals compared to singles (B=-1.667, p=0.011), in those with low income compared to those with moderate or high income (B=-2.259, p<0.001), and in those who were vaccinated compared to those who were not vaccinated (B=-1.722, p=0.005). Conclusion: In prehospital emergency healthcare workers, the fear of COVID-19 was higher among women, married individuals, those with low income, those who were COVID-19-vaccinated, and those with high levels of anxiety and depression. Those with low income, high education level, and high anxiety level had a higher level of work stress
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BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are one of the special groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of pregnant women. METHOD: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to explore the experiences of 15 pregnant women. Data were gathered by using semi-structured interviews focusing on pregnant women's feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Word cloud analysis and content analysis were performed. FINDINGS: Data analysis revealed three main themes: emotions, hardships, and coping. Emotions were grouped into five categories: fear, anxiety, disappointment, loneliness, and regret. Hardships were grouped into two categories: physical and financial. Coping was grouped into four categories: social support, normalization, religious practices, and positive thinking. According to word cloud analysis, the most frequently mentioned words were pregnant, COVID-19, anxiety, fear, positive thinking, hardships, regret, stress, affect, and alone. CONCLUSIONS: Women experienced feelings of fear, anxiety, disappointment, loneliness, and regret in the prenatal period. They also faced physical and financial hardships and benefited from social sup-port, normalization, religious practices, and positive thinking to cope with these hardships. © 2023 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
ABSTRACT
Objective: COVID-19 is a serious public health problem. Therefore, it is important to vaccinate the community. This study was aimed at examining the reasons for individuals' COVID-19 vaccine hesitations, and decisions that have changed over time. Material and methods: This was a prospective longitudinal qualitative study. Results: Confidence, fear, conspiracy theories, belief, and social pressure play a role in vaccine hesitancy. The most important factor in the changing decisions of individuals who are hesitant about vaccination is pressure. Confidence and fear also lead to a change of decision. However, it was remarkable that most of the participants who were vaccinated due to pressure did not want to be revaccinated. Conclusions: Governments, media, vaccine companies, health professionals, and scientists should act together to increase the vaccination rates of individuals.