Hosein Asadi - Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Aghil Habobi Soola - Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
Mahnaz Davari - Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.

Background: Prehospital emergency staff usually encounter patients in situations that can affect the mental health of the medical staff and cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study aimed to determine depression, anxiety, and stress in prehospital emergency personnel during the COVID-۱۹ epidemic in Ardabil City, Iran, ۲۰۲۰.  Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March ۲۰۲۰ to April ۲۰۲۰ with the participation of ۱۳۸ working staff in the prehospital emergency department of Ardabil City. The samples were selected by the census method. Necessary information was collected with a two-part questionnaire: a demographic questionnaire and the DASS-۲۱ standard questionnaire. DASS-۲۱ is a ۲۱-item questionnaire that consists of three subscales of ۷ questions: depression, anxiety, and stress. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, and inferential analysis, including analysis of variance, independent t test, and multiple regression using SPSS software v. ۲۲ statistical software. Results: The results showed that ۴۵.۷% of the staff had moderate depression, ۴۴.۹% moderate anxiety, and ۷۷.۵% normal stress. There was a significant relationship between work experience and stress level (P=۰.۰۳). There were significant associations between age with depression (P=۰.۰۴), anxiety (P=۰.۰۰) and stress (P=۰.۰۱). There was also a significant relationship between gender and variables of stress (P=۰.۰۰) and anxiety (P=۰.۰۱). Multiple regression results showed that gender and education variables are predictors of anxiety and stress, and age and education variables are predictors of depression (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: More than half of the staff had moderate to severe depression and anxiety. Considering that prehospital emergency personnel has a vital role in improving and promoting people’s health in the community, eliminating the underlying factors that cause emotional reactions in them is considered a health priority.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Prehospital emergency, COVID-۱۹