DETERMINATION OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION LEVELS AND FEARS ABOUT COVID-19 OF NURSES IN IRAQ

Abstract

The study aims to determine the levels of anxiety, depression, and fear among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This descriptive cross-sectional study’s Non-probability (convenient) sample included 129 nurses working in isolation centers for COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Baqubah, Iraq. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire consisting of four parts: (1) Demographic information, (2) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression levels, (3) Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCS-7) to measure fear levels, and (4) General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) to evaluate anxiety levels. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0. The study’s findings indicated that 37.2% of the nurses had mild depression, 35.7% had mild anxiety, and 31.8% experienced mild fear related to COVID-19. The study suggests the need for more research focusing on the psychological state of nurses in Iraq, with larger sample sizes and representation from different regions to ensure the generalizability of the results. This study provides valuable insights into the mental health status of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results highlight the prevalence of mild levels of depression, anxiety, and fear among nurses and emphasize the importance of addressing the psychological well-being of nurses in similar settings. The study also calls for further research to expand the knowledge base on nurses’ psychological experiences in Iraq and other regions.