European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

NURSES’ ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOR PROVIDING CARE TO COVID-19 PATIENT IN SHAHEED ZIAUR RAHMAN MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, BOGURA, BANGLADESH

Protima Rani Sarker* and Ashees Kumar Saha

ABSTRACT

Background: Nurses are frontline health care provider face significant mental health issues during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There is currently a scarcity of epidemiological data on the psychological health of frontline nurses. The aim of this study was to explore the level of anxiety, depression, and relevant issues among frontline nurses that have been involved with COVID-19 patient’s care. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the level of anxiety, depression, and relevant issues among frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative and correlational study design. The study included purposively 326 eligible frontline nurses from the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura, Bangladesh. A set of valid and reliable tools was developed to evaluate anxiety and depression outcomes, in addition to socio-demographic and background data. Findings: Out of 326 nurses (17%) reported severe anxiety, (13%) reported severe depression as well as (29%) reported moderate anxiety, (22.6%) reported moderate depression, followed by (21.3%) reported mild anxiety, (19.4%) reported mild depression, and rest of them (32.7%) reported no anxiety, (45%) reported no depression. The majority of the nurses (91.1%) opinion had no training on COVID-19 patient care as well as maximum (89.0%) opinion had no training on COVID-19 infection prevention & control followed by highest number of nurses (89.0%) opinion had no training on downing & doffing PPE respectively. Highly statistical significant association were found between sex female with depression, married & had children, no willing to participate, 12 hours per shift working hours and 1-8 weeks work period for covid-19 patient care with anxiety & depression respectively (P<0.000). Interpretation: The frontline nurses faced a variety of psychological issues, particularly anxiety and depression, which demand policymakers' attention and support. Future national and organizational actions are required to improve mental health throughout this pandemic by avoiding and managing anxiety and depression, increasing self-efficacy and resilience, providing the necessary social support, and assuring frontline work willingness.

Keywords: Covid-19; Frontline nurses; Anxiety; Depression; Bangladesh.