Anxiety and depression among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Issue 12 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Motahedi, Saeideh; Aghdam, Nasrin Fadaee; Khajeh, Mahboobeh; Baha, Robabe; Aliyari, Roqayeh; Bagheri, Hossein; mardani, Abbas
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 7:Issue 12(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Anxiety -- Depression -- Healthcare workers; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08570
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: During a pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to many stresses that predispose them to psychological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the anxiety and depression level of HCWs and determine the relationship between them in terms of their demographic characteristics. Material and methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The participants consisted of clinical, administrative, and cleaning staff who were working in a referral COVID-19 hospital in an urban area of Iran. The census sampling method was used for recruiting the participants from May to August 2020. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale were employed to collect data. Then, data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: One hundred forty HCWs participated in this study. The mean scores of anxiety and depression were 6.64 (4.86) and 18.21 (10.59), respectively. There was a significant direct association between anxiety and depression (P < 0.001). In addition, female gender (P = 0.01) and having a history of infection with COVID-19 (P = 0.001) were associated with a higher level of anxiety. Moreover, having a history of being quarantined due to COVID-19 was associated with a higher level of depression (P = 0.03). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, considering the mental health of HCWs during the generalized anxiety outbreak of COVID-19 should be a priority, and appropriate interventions should be planned to improve their psychological condition. Abstract : COVID-19; Anxiety; Depression; Healthcare Workers.