Comparison of Anxiety among Nurses Working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 Wards

Saadati Rad, Mohammad  Taha; Hatami, Fariba; Tajari, Atefeh; Hajibeklou, Bahar; Zahedi, Alireza; Ayyasi, Mitra; Zadehhashem, Shabnam

doi:10.22087/ijac.2023.503742.1047

Comparison of Anxiety among Nurses Working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 Wards

Document Type : Research

Authors

Mohammad Taha Saadati Rad ¹

Fariba Hatami ²

Atefeh Tajari ³

Bahar Hajibeklou ⁴

Alireza Zahedi ⁵

Mitra Ayyasi ⁶

Shabnam Zadehhashem ⁷

¹ Msc of gerontology, Student Research Committee, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

² Master's Degree in Nursing, Nazaja Health and Treatment Department, Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran

³ Master of Nursing, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad branch, Aliabad, Iran

⁴ Master's degree in health care management, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran

⁵ Master of Nursing, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

⁶ Instructor, Department of Nursing, Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch, Sari, Iran

⁷ Master of Health Services Management, Faculty of Medical Management and Informatics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.22087/ijac.2023.503742.1047

Abstract

This study aimed to compare anxiety levels among nurses working in COVID-19 wards and other wards at Gorgan Army Hospital. This descriptive comparative study was conducted in 2021 with 59 nurses employed at Gorgan Army Hospital using the census method. Of these, 28 emergency and internal medicine department nurses worked in COVID-19 inpatient wards, and 31 worked in non-COVID-19 wards. Data were collected using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, employing descriptive statistical tests (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential tests (chi-square, independent t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney test). The study found that 98.3% of nurses experienced state anxiety, with 67.8% reporting moderate to high levels of state anxiety and 77.9% experiencing relatively severe trait anxiety. The level of state anxiety was significantly higher in the internal medicine department with COVID-19 patients (P = 0.020). While trait anxiety was higher in the emergency department, the difference was insignificant (P = 0.606). The results suggest that the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the lack of definitive treatment have contributed to high levels of anxiety among nurses. Therefore, it is essential to implement appropriate policies and plans to alleviate nurses' anxiety.

Keywords

Anxiety

Nurses

COVID-19

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