Depression, anxiety, and stress among Iranian nurses in COVID-19 care wards

Abstract

Background Nurses are at the frontline of care provision to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The high communicability of COVID-19, high levels of stress associated with the disease, and challenges of care provision to afflicted patients faced nurses in Iran with problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The aim of the study was to assess depression, anxiety, and stress among Iranian nurses who provided care to patients with COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2020–2021. Participants were 468 nurses purposively selected from university hospitals in Iran. They completed two online instruments, namely a demographic questionnaire and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (v. 23.0). Results Most participants were female (75.9%) and married (73.4%) and held bachelor’s degree (88%). The means of participants’ age and work experience were 33.59 ± 6.40 years and 10.26 ± 6.61 years, respectively. The mean scores and the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 13.56 ± 5.37 and 74.1%, 13.21 ± 4.90 and 89.7%, and 15.13 ± 4.76 and 54.9%, respectively. The prevalence rates of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress were 43.7%, 73%, and 24%, respectively. The mean scores of participants’ depression, anxiety, and stress had significant relationship with their employment status (p < 0.05). Besides, the mean scores of their anxiety had significant relationship with their educational level, employment status, and work shift (p < 0.05). Conclusion Most nurses who provide care to patients with COVID-19 suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychological support services may be needed for nurses in order to protect and promote their mental health.

The effect of the demonstration-based progressive muscle relaxation technique on stress and anxiety in nurses caring for COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial

“…Also, the prevalence rates of extremely severe stress and anxiety were 15.2% and 89.1%, respectively. A study showed that the prevalence rates of moderate to severe stress and anxiety in Iranian nurses in COVID‑19 care wards were 23.7% and 61.3%, respectively [ 5 ]. Also, Sheikhbardsiri et al reported that the mean scores of stress and anxiety in nurses at educational hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic were at a moderate level [ 4 ].…”

“…The mean score of stress and anxiety of all nurses were 14.13 ± 2.56 and 13.06 ± 2.86, respectively. Several previous studies reported that the mean score of stress was 9.62 ± 4.94 [ 4 ], 15.13 ± 4.76 [ 5 ], and 16.23 ± 9.25 [ 6 ] among nurses in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, they reported that the mean score of anxiety was 10.32 ± 4.85 [ 4 ], 13.21 ± 4.90 [ 5 ], and 12.65 ± 9.52 [ 6 ].…”

“…Several previous studies reported that the mean score of stress was 9.62 ± 4.94 [ 4 ], 15.13 ± 4.76 [ 5 ], and 16.23 ± 9.25 [ 6 ] among nurses in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, they reported that the mean score of anxiety was 10.32 ± 4.85 [ 4 ], 13.21 ± 4.90 [ 5 ], and 12.65 ± 9.52 [ 6 ]. The mean score of stress in Zakeri et al [ 6 ] was higher than in other studies.…”

“…Caring for patients with COVID-19 has further given rise to countless psychological complications, including stress and anxiety in nurses [ 3 – 6 ]. For instance, a study reported that the prevalence rates of stress and anxiety among nurses who provided care to patients with COVID-19 were 54.9% and 89.7%, respectively [ 5 ]. Also, evidence showed that the stress and anxiety of Iranian nurses increased significantly first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 6 ].…”

Resilience of first‐line nurses during adaptation to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A grounded theory study

“…Although the entire world has experienced infectious diseases in the past, the COVID‐19 pandemic as a new infectious disease has greatly disrupted the public health systems of countries (Irandoost et al, 2022). As the largest group of healthcare providers, nurses are on the front lines of providing care to patients with COVID‐19 and spend a lot of time in close contact with them (Sharifi et al, 2022). Despite the crucial role of nurses in controlling and preventing the virus and its complications (Zamanzadeh et al, 2021), the COVID‐19 pandemic created undesirable effects on their working conditions (Fernandez et al, 2020).…”