COVID-19-Related Stress among Nursing Professionals Working in COVID ICU: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: During the pandemic situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), nursing professionals being frontline warriors, need to fight with the disease of unknown dimensions, put efforts to manage misunderstandings among the general population, face health risks for self and family members, and experience challenges to improve professional skills. All these demanding situations act as stressors and can enhance stress among them. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted using web-based questionnaire. Information was collected from 200 nursing personnel's working in the COVID intensive care unit of selected tertiary care hospitals. The questionnaire used for data collection comprised two sections: First section focused on sociodemographic profile of subjects and the second section included the Psychometric Evaluation of Healthcare Workers' Stress Related to Caring for Patients with a Highly Infectious Disease scale. Results: The result revealed that maximum 57% of the subjects had moderate COVID-19 related stress. The highest stress scores were identified for items: (i) Ethical dilemma as humanitarian visitation is banned due to quarantine measures; (ii) Restrictions on eating and drinking at work; (iii) Feeling overburdened with work; (iv) Limited number of staff allowed access to the isolation room and thus inability to obtain adequate assistance; and v) Feeling breathless with an N95 or P100 face mask. Discomfort caused by protective equipment was the top-most stressor identified by the participants, followed by fear of social isolation and the burden of caring for patients. Conclusions: The hospital administration and nurse managers should continuously monitor the psychological health of Nursing Professionals in this COVID-19 era and plan timely interventions to promote their health.