Nurses Psychological Well-Being During Covid19 Outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The global coronavirus disease pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19) has caused healthcare provider to experience extraordinary psychological stress. Objective: This study assessed thepsychological well-being of nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak and factors associated with it.Methods: An online survey was sent to all nurses working at the Ministry of Health Hospitals andliving in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia. A total of 219 nurses were completed the survey. The Depression,Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 items (DASS-21) assessed the psychological well-being of respondentsin the previous week. Results: One -quarter of nurses (24.7%) reported extremely severe symptoms ofanxiety, more than one third (37%) reported extremely sever symptoms of stress, less than one quarter(14.1%) reported extremely sever symptoms of depression. Higher anxiety scores were significantlyassociated with direct contact with confirmed COVID 19 cases (p= 0.08), general health status (p=0.001) and marital status (p= 0.042). Higher DASS-21 Stress scores were significantly associated withworking more than eight hours per shift (p=0.024), marital status(P=0.036) and general health status(p <0.001). Higher DASS-21 Depression scores was significantly associated general health status (p<0.001). Conclusions & implication for practice: The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant effect on thepsychological well-being of Saudis nurses, particularly nurses who were married, had contact withCOVID 19 cases, had working more than eight hours per shift, and had poor general health status.Protecting the psychological health of nursing staff is essential, nursing leaders are in charge of providingsocial support for nurses so that they will be able to cope with their anxiety, stress, and depression.