Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background One of the psychological issues that may affect health care workers (HCWs) during the outbreak of COVID-19 is health anxiety. Health anxiety disorder goes beyond normal health concerns and can seriously affect occupational and interpersonal performance. The present study was designed to determine the level of COVID-19-related health anxiety and its predictors in Iranian HCWs. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected online through a demographic information questionnaire and the short version of the Health Anxiety Questionnaire. The online questionnaires were created via Google Form and the URL link was sent to HCWs via email or social networking applications. In total, questionnaires were sent to more than 1,500 HCWs throughout Iran. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 23. Results Five hundred and fifty-two HCWs completed and sent the questionnaires. The mean scores of health anxiety of HCWs were higher than the cutoff point of health anxiety (17.28 ± 8.84) and 58.1% of HCWs had health anxiety. There was a significant inverse relationship between health anxiety score and age (r = − 0.13; P = 0.002), work experience (r = − 0.16; P < 0.001) and income level (r = − 0.097; P = 0.03). The rate of health anxiety was significantly higher in females (P = 0.03). Based on regression results, age and hospital category were significant risk factors for health anxiety. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, employees working in health centers in Iran had high health anxiety. Due to the high level of health anxiety in HCWs, it is important to consider strategies to reduce their health anxiety in the current situation.

Family Process and Content Factors Predicting COVID-19 Anxiety and Self-Care Behaviors in Adolescents

“…These results are in line with other studies which indicated that problem-solving and decisionmaking skills can lead to less anxiety. 26 Furthermore, this finding is in line with other studies that emphasize the role of the family in reducing the anxiety of adolescents. [17][18] According to the family process model, healthy families are stronger in problem-solving and decision-making skills compared to unhealthy families.…”

“…This scale has 38 fivepoint graded questions (strongly agree = 5 to strongly disagree = 1) which have 7 areas. 1-job and education (items 20 to 24 and 28), 2-time to spend together (items 6 to 9, 11, and 12), 3-financial resources (items 1-5), 4-physical appearance/ social status (items 13-16, 18 and 19), 5-physical and mental health (items 34-38), 6-living space (items 29-33), and 7-facilities (items [25][26][27]. The total score is obtained by summing the scores of the items.…”

“…25 In addition, the internal consistency of this scale has been calculated for adolescents as sufficient (α = 0.88). 26…”

The Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Caregiver Burden in Informal Caregivers of Patients with COVID-19

“…The results of the study by Saeedi et al showed that employees working in health centers in Iran had high health anxiety (12). The results of the study by Benke et al indicated that individuals with high levels of health anxiety were prone to fearful mental imagery of contracting COVID-19, which might have been crucial factor contributing to the exacerbation and chronicity of excessive health anxiety in times of a pandemic (13).…”

Health Anxiety Among the Normal Population and Healthcare Professionals in a Highly Disadvantaged Region During Three Waves of COVID-19

“…Finally, examining individual characteristics and working conditions, a correlation occurred between the number of years a healthcare worker had spent in the job, the type of the medical institute and health anxiety in such a way that the more experienced healthcare professionals working in state care showed lower health anxiety than their younger colleagues or those who worked in private care (Saeedi et al, 2022). Further results draw the attention to the influence of individual characteristics (i.e., state and trait anxiety, stress tolerance) and working conditions (i.e., social support) (Shayganfard et al, 2021).…”