The Deadly Nature of the Virus Depression: Iranian Medical Staff Battling COVID-19

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, which began in December 2019 in China, can have a broader impact on individuals' mental dimensions. Meanwhile, the medical staff battling this epidemic are more at risk of mental and emotional problems. This study aimed to examine the level of stress, anxiety, and depression and their relationship with the level of knowledge of medical staff battling in COVID-19 pandemic treatment.
 Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 641 medical staff using an online platform to design the questionnaire, and its link was placed in different groups of social networks all over the country in which the medical staff battling COVID 19 were members. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 25 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent samples t-test, independent one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square.
 Results: Higher knowledge about COVID-19 was associated with younger age, clinicians, and nurses. Moreover, females were more knowledgeable in terms of support; while males were more reliable in washing hands and disinfecting wet places. Based on the categorical version of psychological factors, the majority of cases had severe stress ( 39.80 % ), normal depression ( 48.50 % ), and normal anxiety ( 57.30 % ). Finally, it was found that married participants had more knowledge about COVID-19, but knew less about its fatality.
 Conclusion: Studies have shown negative psychological experiences caused by COVID-19 in nurses, including negative emotions, such as fatigue, discomfort, helplessness due to high-intensity work, anxiety, and worry about family members.

Mental Health, Burnout, and Job Stressors Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…This reported prevalence is higher than that of the general population which has been reported to be 29.7% in the same time period ( 49 ). This finding is similar to a number of international ( 7 , 9 – 11 ) and national ( 16 – 20 ) studies conducted at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic for assessing psychological distress and mental health problems among healthcare workers which have reported a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. One similar study performed a year earlier among healthcare workers from twelve different cities in India revealed that 52.9% of the participants had the risk of psychological distress that needed further evaluation ( 50 ).…”

“…Studies have also shown high rates of anxiety and depression among Iranian healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic ( 16 – 18 ), especially among the female ( 19 ). Iranian studies have shown negative psychological experiences caused by COVID-19 in healthcare workers, such as fatigue, discomfort, and helplessness due to high-intensity work, anxiety, and worry about family members ( 20 ). An Iranian study performed by Jalili et al ( 21 ) have reported high levels of burnout among 53% of the healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.…”