Anxiety Levels Among Female Iranian Health Care Workers During the COVID-۱۹ Surge: A Cross-sectional Study

Background & Objective: The recent surge in coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) cases has exposed health care workers (HCWs) to a wide range of psychological stressors and predisposed them to anxiety-related disorders. In this study, we observed the anxiety level in this population. Materials & Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed on ۱,۰۳۸ HCWs in ۱۴ hospitals of Tehran during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. In May ۲۰۲۰, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to measure the level of anxiety in this population. Results: The mean±SD age of participants was ۳۶.۳۰±۸.۲۳ years old. Most participants were ۳۱ to ۴۰ years old (۴۳.۲), female (۸۷.۶%), and nurses (۴۹.۵%). The BAI scores of the participants were in a positive skew distribution, with a score range of ۰-۶۳, a median of ۱۲, and a mean value of ۱۵.۳۰±۱۱.۴۳. Out of ۱,۰۳۸ hospital staff, ۴۱۱ (۳۹.۶%) had moderate to severe anxiety. The anxiety level was significantly higher in HCWs ≤۴۰ years old, women, and nurses. However, there was no significant relationship between stress levels among frontline workers compared to second-line workers (P=۰.۸۲). Conclusion: It seems that HCWs experienced a high level of anxiety in the COVID-۱۹ outbreak. One of the critical measures in every epidemic is to provide supportive care to maintain the mental well-being of HCWs, especially in high-risk groups, including younger HCWs, women, and nurses.

Keywords:

Anxiety level , Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) , Coronavirus , COVID-۱۹ , Health Care , Worker , Iran