Level of anxiety among healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: cross-sectional study.
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ABSTRACT: Background
The burden of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted widely on the healthcare providers physically and mentally. Many healthcare providers are exposed to psychological stressors due to their high risk of contracting the virus.Aims
This study aimed to measure the level of anxiety among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study aimed to measure the level of anxiety based on demographic characteristics.Method
A cross-sectional survey was employed to recruit a convenience sample of healthcare providers. A pencil and paper self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from demographic and generalized anxiety disorder GAD-7 data. However, this study received written informed consent from participants of the study. In addition, the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (IRB Log No. RC20.06.88-03).Results
A total of 650 participants were recruited, results of GAD-7 showed that 43.5%, 28.9% and 27.5% of healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia experienced mild, moderate and severe anxiety, respectively, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that age, health specialty, nationality, and sleeping disorders before COVID-19 were associated with anxiety levels.Conclusion
The generalized anxiety among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia was mild. Older healthcare providers were found to have a higher level of anxiety compared to other participating healthcare providers. Several factors may contribute to a higher level of anxiety including age, socioeconomic status, marital status, having chronic conditions, and sleeping disorder before the COVID-19 pandemic. To further understand the level of anxiety among healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, longitudinal and mixed-method research is needed.
SUBMITTER: Al Mutair A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8418795 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC10503362 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundHealthcare providers, particularly nurses, are at risk of infection as part of the COVID-19 pandemic since they assist in the disease's containment. By recognising the risk factors for infection and implementing suitable measures to reduce these risks, all reasonable efforts should be taken to control the spread of infection to them. The aim of the present study was to determine the level of infection prevention and control practises used by primary healthcare nurses in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methodsCross-sectional design to examine the preventive practices of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals and community health nurses (n = 198) who worked in primary healthcare facilities in southwest Riyadh. Staff were randomly recruited, and a self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect demographic data, sources of COVID-19 information, and COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures.ResultsMost of participants were male (57.6%), aged 30_39 years (50.5%), married (61.6), with monthly income of more than10,000 SAR, and more than half (74.0%) of the participants hold a diploma degree. Social media was the most prevalent source of information about COVID-19 (69.25%). About 91.4% used facemask in crowds and 65.2% of the participants wore medical Personal Protective Equipment during prescribing drugs. Furthermore, 94.5% of the participants wore a simple facemask and 32.8% washed their hands with running water and handwashing liquid. Females were most users of gloves and simple mask; who had a monthly income of 5000 SAR or more were the most who wore goggle mask and apron; non-nurse staff, aged 40_49 years and who had more than 10 years of experience were the most users of N95 respirator; while nurses, aged 30_39 years and with 6_10 years of experience were the most who used gowns. Participants' age, income, and work experience were all found to be important factors linked with COVID-19 infection prevention and control practices.ConclusionOverall practicing preventive measures by Healthcare professionals in Saudi primary healthcare centres to encounter COVID-19 pandemic were generally significant. Policymakers at the Ministry of Health should monitor preventive practises regarding COVID-19 infection among all healthcare providers in other facilities. It is recommended to conduct systematic reviews and amend current guidelines for preventive practices in the COVID-19 pandemic to promote maximum state among population.
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