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

Hossein  Bahrami Moghadam; Reza  Khedri; Arash  Forouzan; Mahmood  Maniati; Payam  Amini; Ali  Delirrooyfard; Hossein  Eisvand; Mehdi  Sayyah Bargard; Mina  Jaberi

doi:10.18502/jebhpme.v5i4.8158

Hossein Bahrami Moghadam Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Reza Khedri Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Arash Forouzan Department of Emergency Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Mahmood Maniati Department of English, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Payam Amini Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Ali Delirrooyfard Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Hossein Eisvand Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Mehdi Sayyah Bargard Education Development Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Mina Jaberi Clinical Research Development Unit, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jebhpme.v5i4.8158

Keywords: COVID-19, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Treatment staff

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 ₂₅and 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.