The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome.

Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousness, isolation, depression, and suicide ideation. The COVID Stress Scale was developed to better understand and assess COVID-19-related distress. University students are predicted to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak due to their lack of psychological skills and high levels of academic stress. This study compares the prevalence of COVID stress syndrome (CSS) among university students in Syria and Jordan during the outbreak. The questionnaire used in the study covers multiple aspects and can be applied to future pandemics or infectious diseases. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Syria and Jordan between September 1 and December 1, 2021, to evaluate CSS among university students. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 2525 students using a structured, validated, and published questionnaire. Ethical considerations were taken, and informed consent was obtained from participants. The questionnaire had two parts: participant characteristics and CSS. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and the chi-square test was used to compare the CSS scale between the two countries. Result The study involved 2525 university students, mostly Syrian (63.6%) and Jordanian (36.4%), aged 18-24 (89.5%), and mostly single (95.6%). Over 50% of students lived in homes with three or more people. More than half reported good to excellent economic status; non-smokers accounted for over 50%. Regarding CSS, 39.8% had a high score, 28% average, 20% severe, and 12.2% low to mild. Jordanian male students and single Syrian students showed a higher probability of experiencing CSS symptoms. The number of people in the household, financial status, and field of study also played a significant role. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts beyond physical health, including the economy, education, and mental health. A stress scale has been developed to measure COVID-19 stress syndrome, which includes Danger and Contamination Fears (DAN), Socioeconomic Consequences Fears (SEC), Xenophobic Fears (XEN), Traumatic Stress Symptoms (TSS), and Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking (CHE). Non-medical faculty students are more likely to acquire CSS symptoms than medical faculty students.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Healthcare Workers: Understanding Stigma, Stress, and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted public health systems worldwide and created anxiety and stress among communities, resulting in the stigmatization of patients infected with the virus. Stigmatization of individuals who are sick or thought to be infected has a long history and can lead to discrimination and prejudice. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19-related stigma in Jordan, assess the relationship between stigma and the quality of life (QoL) in healthcare workers, and identify possible measures to decrease stressful events. Understanding the psychological effects of healthcare workers' jobs and reducing their burden is essential to improving medical outcomes and the QoL of patients. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary hospitals in Amman, Jordan, from July to December 2021. Healthcare workers were recruited through convenience sampling and completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included demographic information, a validated COVID-19 stigma questionnaire, work conditions during the pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire to measure depression, anxiety, and stress, and the EUROHIS-QOL questionnaire to assess the QoL. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and post hoc analysis. The study was approved by the institutional review board, and participation was voluntary and confidential. RESULTS: The study was conducted among 683 healthcare workers in Jordan, with 77.7% based in the capital city, Amman. Most of the participants were between 18 and 30 years of age, and slightly more than half were female. The study found that 38.1% of healthcare workers would not take the COVID-19 vaccine once it became available. More than half (56%) reported experiencing stress, 61% reported anxiety, and 65% reported depression during the pandemic. Internal medicine specialties and frontline nurses reported the highest levels of stress, and healthcare workers with greater exposure to COVID-19 patients reported higher levels of anxiety and stress. Only 3% of participants reported experiencing stigmatization (p=0.043), with low-income participants reporting it more frequently. Stigmatization was significantly correlated with feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers' mental well-being has been affected negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in depression, anxiety, and stress. Widespread mental surveillance for healthcare workers is crucial to protect healthcare workers from psychological issues and to improve the healthcare service provided to patients. Stigma among healthcare workers can be a major factor that may increase depression, anxiety, and stress.