Correlations between Insomnia and Sex, Work Experience, Shift and Body Max Index in Italian Nurses: A Scoping Profile Statement.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess any association existing between insomnia according to sex, work experience, shift and BMI values in Italian nurses. METHODS: An "ad hoc" questionnaire was created and administered online in October 2020. Data collected included: sex, years of work experience, shift work per day, BMI values, and insomnia levels. FINDINGS: A total of 341 Italian nurses were enrolled. Of these, 277 (81.23%) were females and n=64 (18.77%) males. No significant differences were assessed between ISI levels and sex, BMI scores, work experience and shift (p=.098; p=.978; p=.561; p=.222, respectively). Significant and inverse correlation was assessed between ISI values and sex (p=.019), BMI values (p=.033). While, no significant correlations were assessed between ISI levels and work experience (p=.805) and shift (p=.962), respectively. However, work experience reported significant correlations between BMI classes (p>.001) and shift (p<.001). CONCLUSION: Data suggested potential health risk factors for the nursing workforce, associated with weight gain and developing Metabolic Syndrome. Therefore, the essence of the nursing profession could affect work performance and cause problems in the family and social life, as well as stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and irregular sleep patterns.

Burnout Levels in Italian Nurses during the First and the Second Wave in the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Pilot Cohort-Data Comparison

(1) Background: Nurses show higher psychological distress associated with physical difficulties during the COVID-19 outbreak. To compare burnout levels among nurses engaged in the front line of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave and the second wave of the pandemic. (2) Methods: Two cohort online surveys were conducted thanks to the Google Modules function: the first one was administered from March 2020 to April 2020 and the second survey, which included the same questionnaire, was administered from September 2020 to October 2020. (3) Results: There were significant differences in the emotional exhaustion sub dimension (p < 0.001): The first wave group recorded higher levels than the second wave one. While, as regards to the values of the dimension of the depersonalization, the second wave group reported significantly higher values than the first wave group (p = 0.006). No significant difference was recorded for the personal accomplishment sub dimension (p = 0.108). By considering the gender variable, significant difference was reported in personal accomplishment sub dimension, as during the second wave, females recorded lower levels in personal accomplishment while males reported significantly higher levels in the same sub dimension than the first wave (p = 0.012);while no statistically significant differences were reported in burnout sub dimensions during the first and the second waves according to years of work experience. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an important provocation for nurses all around the world and, at the same time, constitutes a learning lesson to improve better approaches for the subsequent waves. Several interventions could be introduced to moderate the mental health influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses.

How Nurses Perceived Their Work-Environments and Its Related Nursing Management Perspectives during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Investigatory Study

Human resource management could be defined as the set of policies which, if properly designed and developed, contribute to improving the performance of employers. The present study aimed to investigate how nurses directly involved in the care of COVID-19 patients perceived their working activities and environments during the pandemic and if there were any associations between their perceptions' levels and sampling characteristics. An observational, multicenter, cross- sectional study was carried out from October 2021 to February 2022. Socio-demographic characteristics and a total of 10 items were collected in order to assess nurses' perceptions on their working activities and environments during the pandemic. A total of 126 nurses were recruited in this study. Of these, 35 (27.8%) were males and 91 (72.2%) were females. The most part of participants (62.7%) aged between 20–30 years and were employed during their first decade of work experience (69.8%), were employed only during the morning (46%) and attended the basic nursing course (82.5%). Most of participants considered their nursing activities as very hard, in both the age and work experience groups. Additionally, further associations were reported between nurses who were employed during the three shifts par day, as they considered their activities very hard;however, data were higher in one/shift group than in the three-shift group, too. Younger nurses reported higher emotional levels in their nursing activities than their older collogues (11–20 years and 21–30 years), while the oldest group recorded higher levels of emotional involvement than the younger groups (11–20 years and 21–30 years), respectively. Finally, all groups of work experience nurses considered the nursing activities very hard. The perceived organization work environment was not favorable, explaining potential opportunities for intervention by also improving nurses' well-being, particularly during this very hard period of the pandemic. Therefore, nursing leaders might influence the orientation and development of collaborators by involving them with respect to the choices and challenges of the administration, rather than traditional managers who interpreted their role through complicated command procedures and control.

Anxiety, Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Physicians Compared to Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational, Cross Sectional, Multicentric Study

(1) Background: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the precarious health situation of our country, thanks to the grueling workloads caused by understaffing and fear of contracting COVID-19. By considering this critical situation, frontline healthcare professionals who have been directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of SARS-CoV-2 patients are now at risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health symptoms, accomplices of the fear of contracting the COVID-19 and the exhausting workloads. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire to all Italian physicians and nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristics, an assessment of anxiety levels with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which also assessed trait and state anxiety, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to evaluate the condition of depressive severity, and, finally, the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES–R), which was administered in order to quantify the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the participants. (3) Results: A total of 770 Italian healthcare workers were enrolled in this study. Of these, 95 (12.30%) were physicians and 675 (87.70%) were nurses. By considering PTSD, anxiety, and depression levels between the physicians and nurses recruited, a significant difference was reported in the STAI-1 assessment, as both physicians and nurses reported slight and moderate levels (p = 0.033). (4) Conclusions: Physicians and nurses, who have been subjected to physical impoverishment, with the infinite physical forces spent to support the pace of work at the limits of the possible, but above all mental capacity, with the anxiety of having to face an unknown enemy, such as COVID-19. This has resulted in a significant increase in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic symptoms, and sleep disturbances, with possible repercussions not only on the quality of life of the physicians and nurses but also on the quality of assistance provided.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Registered Nurses and Nursing Students in Italy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder characterized by a range of syndromal responses to extreme stressors. The present study aimed to explore any differences in PTSD between registered nurses and nursing students, according to sex and nursing experience, during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2): Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted among Italian nurses and nursing students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was distributed in an anonymous form through the Google function of Google Modules to some social pages and nursing groups. (3) Results: In total, 576 participants were enrolled in this study. Of these, 291 (50.50%) were registered nurses and 285 (49.50%) were nursing students. By considering the Impact of Event Scale-Revised values in nurses and in nursing students according to sex, a significant difference was reported in the avoidance sub-dimension (p = 0.024), as female nurses recorded higher levels than nursing students. No further significant differences were suggested by considering both sex and nursing experience, respectively. (4) Conclusion: PTSD could be a serious consequence for both nurses and nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring Internet Addiction in Italian Nurses during the COVID-19 Outbreak

(1) Background: Nomophobia is considered a digital and virtual contemporary society disorder and refers to discomfort, anxiety, nervousness, or distress caused by being out of contact with a cell phone or computer. The present study had a twofold objective: to evaluate the expert use of the Internet among Italian nurses by correlating it with socio-demographic characteristics, such as: sex, years of work experience, professional role, and level of nursing education;and to assess a possible increase in the levels of nomophobia among Italian nurses during COVID-19 compared to the pre-pandemic period. (2) Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from April to September 2020, such as during the First Wave of the COVID-19 outbreak. (3) Results: A total of 502 nurses were enrolled in the present study. Significantly differences were reported in the IAT (Internet Addiction Test) levels according to socio-demographic characteristics since males reported significantly higher IAT levels than females (p < 0.001). Nurses who worked more than 6 years reported significantly higher IAT levels (p = 0.031) than their younger colleagues. More nursing managers and coordinators reported significantly higher IAT levels than registered nurses (p < 0.001). This trend was repeated by considering the nursing educational level, as nurses who recorded more years of nursing educational level reported significantly higher IAT levels than the others (p = 0.003). Additionally, significant differences were reported according to all the socio-demographic characteristics considered and IAT subdimensions, namely: Salience, Excessive Use, Neglect Work, Anticipation, and Lack of Control. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed higher levels of Internet addiction in men than in women during the COVID-19 pandemic period, as well as a significant correlation between nomophobia, years of work experience, and the role of nursing coordinator/manager.

The satisfaction level perceived by Italians during the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic phase.

Aim of the work.  To survey the degree of satisfaction of the Italian population in reference to the health care provided throughout the national territory in the period of emergency COVID-19. METHODS: Observational, cross sectional, multicenter study conducted during the first phase of the pandemic (May-June 2020) involving the national population (n=889) subjects, through an online survey. RESULTS: 889 people participated in the study. Among the perceptions regarding the level of satisfaction with the care received during the first pandemic wave, significant differences were found in the level of satisfaction with the health care received in general (p=.049), the degree of satisfaction toward the health care to people admitted to the hospital (p=. 046), to the treatment received for the COVID-19 test (p=.002), to the difficulty of contacting the general practitioner (.032), to the treatment received by their own health care company (p=.006), to the treatment received by the toll-free number (p<.001) and the 1500 number (p<.001) and the treatment received for one's own relative (p<.001). The greatest difficulty for all detected was finding surgical masks to protect themselves from infection. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic seems not to have created new problems, rather it has shown - in a violent way - many of the challenges that have been looming for some time in the health services (and not only the Italian one) and, for these reasons, it is necessary to start from what has been learned in the last few months and draw new guidelines for the future.

Gender Gap in Healthcare Worker—Patient Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Italian Observational Study

The value of the healthcare worker–patient communication has been well demonstrated and validated in several studies evidencing its relation to positive patient health outcomes, including better care response, simpler decision-making, better patient psychological well-being, and, therefore, considerable patient care satisfaction. The present study purposed to assess how patients perceived healthcare worker–patient communication during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether there were any gender-related differences among participants. From March 2020 to April 2020, an online questionnaire was administered to those who declared a patient’s condition in this period. The data considered included data on gender and a Quality of Communication questionnaire (QOC). A total of 120 patients were recruited online. Of these, 52 (43.33%) were females and 68 (56.67%) were males. Significant differences were recorded between females and males in the QOC questionnaire as regards Item no.2 (p = 0.033), Item no.6 (p = 0.007), Item no.11 (p = 0.013), Item no.12 (p = 0.003), Item no.13 (p = 0.002), Item no.15 (p = 0.008), and Item no.16 (p = 0.037), respectively. The potentially different elements between the two sexes considered were assessed in: Component 1: the need to be completely informed about their own health condition, and Component 2: the need to receive authentic and sincere communication from the healthcare worker involved. In light of the present findings, it has emerged that male patients seemed to be more active and positive in effective healthcare worker–patient communication.

Healthcare workers perceptions in the difficult moment of the end of life and coping strategies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: In a society that tries so hard to forget and make people forget that death exists, death has never been so close to man in his daily life as during this pandemic. Health care professionals have therefore all too often had to  deal with the death of the people they care for and with related issues such as, for example, the dignity of death, the humanization of death and care for the dying. The aim of the study is to highlight the perceptions of physicians, nurses and health and social workers in the difficult moment of the end of life, also analyzing which coping strategies were implemented by them. METHODS: All Italian healthcare workers were enrolled in this survey. The questionnaire was administered in an online version. Physicians, nurses and support staff (social and health workers) were contacted through social networks. RESULTS: A total of 512 healthcare workers were enrolled in this survey. No statistical significant differences were recorded among the COPE-NVI- 25 sub dimensions according to sex, profession and to different wards. Additionally, by considering the COPE-NVI-25 sub dimensions according to years of work experience, a statistical significant difference was reported in the Transcendent Orientation sub dimension (p=.047), as healthcare workers with 11-20 years of work experience recorded higher levels than the other two groups. By considering differences in the COPE-NVI-25 sub dimensions according to religion, significant differences were recorded in the transcendent orientation (p=.032), in the positive attitude (p=.030), in the social support (p=.035). CONCLUSIONS: From the evidence in the literature, the quality of end-of-life care performance has a positive correlation with awareness of a good death and attitudes towards end-of-life care.

The Mindfulness and the Emotional Regulation Skills in Italian Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Survey-Correlational Study.

Purpose: To analyze the differences in mindfulness level and emotional regulation skills, as cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression subdimensions, according to sex and years of work experience in a sample of Italian nurses directly involved in the care of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Then, correlations were also performed in order to evidence relationships between the mindfulness tendency and the emotional regulation skills, both in cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, too. Design of study: Descriptive correlational study. Methods: In June 2020, an online questionnaire was administered. Data relating to sex and years of work experience, the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) in the cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression subdimensions were collected. Findings: Two hundred nurses were enrolled. Males recorded higher MAAS values compared to females (p = .001). No significant differences were registered in the MAAS scores according to years of work experience and regarding the ERQ subscales according to sex and work of experience, too. Also, any correlations were reported between MAAS and ERQ subscales. Conclusions: Future training on the basic principles of mindfulness and Emotion Regulation were considered a priority in nurses to better self-modulate their own beings, particularly during the pandemic period.

The quality of patient-nurse communication perceived before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Therapeutic communication is essential for assessing the quality of care of patients. The present study aimed how the forced use of the mask influenced the communication before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered including two socio-demographic items, such as sex, as male and female, and role, as nurse or patient, and the Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QOC) for twice, referring to the period before during the pandemic. RESULTS: 178 subjects participated in the study, of which 60 (33.7%) were patients and 118 (66.3%) were nurses. During the pandemic, patients reported no significant differences in the perception of the quality of nurse-patient communication. While nurses recorded a lower perception of communication quality during the pandemic period than before. CONCLUSIONS: It emerged an urgent need to support the nursing activity from an organizational point of view, with less work overload, and psychological, with forms of help so that nurses could feel supported in the work fatigue, trying to give the best of himself.

The Linkage "Body Mass Index-Insomnia Levels-Eating Disorder Flexibility" in Italian Nurses During the Covid-19 Outbreak: A Psychoendocrinological Employment Disease.

AIM: To evaluate differences between insomnia condition and the flexibility attitude to eat in Italian nurses directly involved in the care of patients affected by Covid-19 according to sex, Body Mass Index, shift working condition and incidence of new Covid-19 cases in the region of participants. Moreover, any correlations between the insomnia condition and the flexibile attitude to eat have been investigated. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered in October 2020, which included: the socio-demographic section, the insomnia condition assessment and the behavioral flexibility evaluation to develop in connection with developing an eating disorder. RESULTS: 341 Italian nurses answered the questionnaire. Regarding the insomnia condition levels, nurses belonging to regions with a higher incidence rate of the Covid-19 pandemic recorded higher levels of insomnia than others (p=.004). Females and nurses belonging to regions with lower Covid-19 incidence rate recorded a significant higher total eating flexibility attitude (p=.003; p<.001), also, in the Food and Exercise flexibility (p=.007; p<.001). As regards the flexibility attitude for weight and shape, significant differences were recorded among nurses according to their BMI values (p<.001) and to their incidence rate of the belonging region (p<.001). The insomnia condition levels significantly correlated with the flexibility attitude to eat both in its total score (p=.010), in the general score (p=.010) and in the weight and shape score (p<.001). All correlations between the insomnia conditions and the flexibility to eat were significantly inverse with the exception for of the food and exercise dimension. All the flexibility attitudes to eat sub dimensions significantly correlated among them (p<.001). CONCLUSION: There was a direct correlation among socio-demographic factors, BMI values, insomnia and behavioral flexibility scores in Italian nurses so, it could be assumed that the nursing profession is at risk of developing a metabolic syndrome condition and, therefore, it could be considered as a psychoendocrinological employment disease during the Covid-19 outbreak.

ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND INSOMNIA CONDITIONS IN ITALIAN NURSES DURING THE FIRST AND THE SECOND WAVES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: To assess the levels of anxiety, depression and insomnia among Italian nurses directly involved in the care of patients with Covid-19, considering the first and the second wave of the pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered on some pages of the nursing social networks and addressed precisely to nurses directly involved in the care of patients affected by Covid-19 in two different periods of the pandemic: during the first wave (March2020 - May 2020) and during the second wave (October 2020 - November 2020). Results: A total of 592 nurses agreed to participate in the study: 291 nurses during the first wave and 301 during the second wave. No significant differences were recorded among the two groups based on anxiety disorder (p=. 364). A significant difference between the two groups were recorded considering the depression and the insomnia condition, too (p <.001;p<.001). Additionally, no significant differences were recorded between the two waves, both for the anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders. In fact, there were only sex-related differences for each wave, but between the two waves the condition among nurses did not vary significantly. Conclusion: Further psychological support should be implemented and nurses encouraged in their care of patients suffered from Covid-19.

ANXIETY, BURNOUT AND DEPRESSION LEVELS ACCORDING TO SEX AND YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE IN ITALIAN NURSES ENGAGED IN THE CARE OF COVID-19 PATIENTS

Aim: To evaluate burnout, anxiety and depression levels in nurses directly involved in the care of Covid-19 patients. Furthermore, particular attention was paid to the existence of any differences between male and female nurses to evaluate whether the variables considered can be influenced by the gender variable. Design: A cohort case-report study was carry out. Sample: All Italian nurses who were at front line in the care of the Covid-19 patients were involved. Measurement: The on line questionnaire collected data as regards: gender and years of work experience;the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire (MBI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Results: Certainly the experience of the pandemic was very emotional for nurses engaged in the front line in the care of Covid-19 patients. However, anxiety and depression levels turned out to be normal, while some nurses experienced them in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization of the burnout rating scale. Conclusion: The practical implication was the implementation of support policies for nurses in tackling the problem of burnout more than that of anxiety or depression.

The psychological and clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic patients: An Italian gender-specific analysis.

This observational study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic patients' psychology and clinical management, focusing on gender differences in the following items: (1) pain perception and therapeutic compliance during the pandemic, compared with the pre-pandemic period; (2) relationship doctorpatient (considering both general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons); (3) patient referral to Orthopaedic emergency room. An Ad Hoc online questionnaire was developed and administered to patients referring to Orthopaedic emergency departments and Orthopaedic outpatient departments throughout Italy, between March and April 2020. The patients' psychological status during the pandemic was evaluated, mainly focusing on the following aspects, i.e., the fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection, the perceived risk of COVID-19 contagion and the compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions. Differences between genders were also assessed. 782 patients finally took part in the present study. A significant decrease of general practitioner and Orthopaedic surgeon clinical referral was recorded during the lockdown period, compared with pre-COVID period (p<0.001; p=0.031). Nonetheless, the number of phone calls to the general practitioner did not undergo substantial differences (p=0.093), compared to patients' the phone consult with orthopaedic surgeons (p=0.042). A significant correlation was found between the fear of COVID-19 contagion the perceived risk of contracting the infection (p<0.001). The COVID pandemic significantly impacted on orthopaedic patients' psychology and perception of the disease. During the lockdown, patients gave a higher priority to the pandemic event and significantly reduced the treatment of their orthopaedic disease.

Observational study on the potential psychological factors that affected Italian nurses involved in the COVID-19 health emergency.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: The present study aimed to identify the potential psychological malaise factors affecting the Italian nurses on the front lines of Covid-19 patient care since evidence suggested that they are at high risk of developing psychological disorders. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered to 291 Italian nurses, containing information on: sex, years of work experience, region of Italy where nurses worked and the intensive care unit assignment. Then, the anxiety disorders, the impact of the event, the depression and the insomnia conditions and their principal psychological factors influencing nurses during the health emergency. were assessed Results. Nurses worked in Northern Italy registered higher anxiety scores than others (p=0.023); the assignment to the intensive care unit (p=0.042) not influenced these scores. The total impact of event (IES-R) values ​​evidenced that women recorded higher "Avoidance" (p=0.032) and "Hyperarousal" (p=0.003) values ​​than men. The nurses who worked in Northern Italy recorded higher scores of "Hyperarousal" (p=0.010) and IES-R total (p=0.044). More women than men showed insomnia conditions (p=0.038) and nurses with a number of years of work experience not exceeding 10 years recorded greater levels of depression than the others (p=0.031). The psychological factors affected nurses included: the "Pleasure/Interest" dimension which correlated with the "Uncontrollable Thinking" (p=0.007), the "Unsatisfactory sleep/wake rhythm" (p=0.004), and the "Unmanageable pain and weakness" (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Urgent need to intervene with psychological support programs for health professionals, such as nurses who are facing the health emergency from Covid-19 on the front line.

The Role of Nutrition During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know.

BACKGROUND: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) infection provokes serious clinical consequences, which in many situations need hospitalization of the patient in Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, SARS-COV-2 infection can indirectly cause deaths in aged individuals as well as in patients with co-morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic in both hospitalized patients and the general population. METHODS: Authors searched Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google, and Institutional websites for medical subheadings terms and free full text referred to "SARS-CoV-2", COVID-19", "nutrition", "immune system", before 31st July 2020. RESULTS: A total of 20 articles describing different nutritional interventions for patients with SARS-- CoV-2 infection focusing on the general population have been included. Of these, 6 studies are dealing with nutritional interventions for patients with SARS-CoV2 infection. The others are focalized on a potential beneficial effect exerted by a Mediterranean diet (MD), related to the supplementation of micronutrients and vitamins. CONCLUSION: A correct lifestyle, including the consumption of nutrients largely present in MD, may be beneficial for preventing or improving prognosis in the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

How the Italian Nursing students deal the pandemic Covid-19 condition.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Since December 2019, a new infectious disease known as Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has rapidly spread globally until it has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. At the same time, if we consider the University context, there is little attention paid during basic nursing education to emergency response, and faculty members report feeling poorly prepared to teach students about this topic. The present study aims to investigate how the Covid-19 pandemic condition influenced the psychological well-being of the Italian nursing students. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered to Italian nursing students which contains two parts: a demographic section and the assessment to the psychological well-being nursing student with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. RESULTS: Given the emergency health situation from Covid-19, our initial concern was to find a large number of students with difficulties in mentally processing this situation even with problems such as depression, as their future profession is heavily involved in the management of this pandemic. Fortunately our results have denied our initial hypothesis since both the impact management levels of the event, assessed with the IES-R scale, and the depression levels, assessed with the PHQ-9 recorded values ​​that were almost normal. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students are better able to face the situation since they find themselves in the role of spectators and not in the role of actors in the care of patients with Covid-19. If the training ameliorates psychological well being, therefore, it is necessary to provide and preserve nurses expertise to encourage teaching in nursing degree courses on maxi emergencies to prepare future nurses to face them adequately.

Anxiety, Insomnia and Body Mass Index Scores in Italian Nurses Engaged in the Care of COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: A new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) infection was reported in Wuhan, China, becoming a global health emergency. Literature shows how nursing work is particularly stressful and how this condition is closely connected to the development of anxiety disorders, sleep quality and can also influence eating behavior with consequent variations in BMI values. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to investigate and correlate the levels of anxiety, insomnia and Body Mass Index among nurses directly involved in the care of patients in the intensive care units with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. METHOD: An observatory study was conducted assessing and correlating the anxiety and insomnia levels and BMI values of each nurse before (until December 2019) and during (until May 2020) the pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 291 Italian nurses joined the study. There are no statistically significant differences between female nurses and male nurses for both groups of participants with or without anxiety (p=0.655). Female nurses with mild, moderate and severe insomnia levels were statistically more than male nurses (p=0.025). For the same BMI differences, the levels of anxiety and insomnia were statistically significant between them (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nurses engaged in the treatment of the most serious patients with Covid-19 are subjected to very high levels of stress due to the nature of the nursing job, shifting, poor rest, anxiety due to health emergency period and weight gain.