Person: ŞAHAN, EBRU
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State and trait anxiety among medical staff during the first month of COVID-19 pandemic: A sample from Turkey
Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive workload, a rapidly changing workplace environment, the danger of carrying the virus and transmitting the disease to their families, relatives and those they live with creates stress for the medical workers. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the state and trait anxiety levels of healthcare professionals who encounter patients with suspected COVID-19 infection and related factors. Method Data were collected from healthcare professionals working with patients diagnosed or suspected with COVID-19 via online self-report questionnaire between 9-19 April 2020. The state (STAI-S) and trait anxiety (STAI-T) scale was used to measure anxiety. Results A total of 291 healthcare professionals, 216 women and 75 men, participated in the study. Women-s state and trait anxiety were significantly higher than men-s. 11 participants without any lifetime psychiatric illness experienced psychiatric symptoms and consulted to a psychiatrist. The state anxiety of those who have children, nurses and those working in branches directly related to the pandemic (Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Anesthesiology and Reanimation) was higher than others. The state anxiety of those who thought they were not protected with personal protective equipment and those who did not stay in their own home was higher than others. Conclusions At the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, there are medical personnel who pay a serious psychological cost. Especially in terms of anxiety, we should pay attention to women, workers with children, nurses and people working in branches that are directly related to pandemics.
Can we predict who will be more anxious and depressed in the COVID-19 ward?
Objective: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at high risk for anxiety and depression, but most studies about mental health during the pandemic included the general public, healthcare workers, and students. We aimed to explore the anxiety and depression levels, prevalence and predictors in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: In this cross-sectional, exploratory study, sociodemographic and clinical features of 281 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were explored. Patients underwent a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered through a telephonic interview. Results: The mean age of the participants was 55.0 ± 14.9 years. One hundred forty-three (50.9%) patients were male, and 138 (49.1%) were female. Ninety-eight (34.9%) patients had significant levels of anxiety and 118 (42.0%) had significant levels of depression. Female gender, staying alone in a hospital room, early days of hospital stay, and any lifetime psychiatric disorder was associated with symptoms of anxiety. Being over 50 years of age, staying alone in a hospital room, and NSAID use before the week of hospital admission were associated with symptoms of depression. Anxiety and depression levels were lower when family members who tested positive for COVID-19 stayed in the same hospital room during treatment. Conclusion: Women, patients >50 years, patients who used NSAIDs before hospital admission, and those with lifetime psychiatric disorders may be at risk for anxiety and depressive symptoms in the COVID-19 ward. Allowing family members with COVID-19 to stay in the same hospital room may be associated with lower anxiety and depression levels.