Abstract
This study investigates the changes in prevalence estimates, severity, and risk factors of anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs) over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was distributed among HCWs using snowball sampling, collecting their socio-demographics, occupation, and anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. It was distributed one month after the pandemic’s onset in Jordan between 15 and 30 April 2020 (onset group) and after one year between 15 and 30 March 2021 (one-year group). A total of 422 HCWs were included (211 in each group). The one-year group reported a higher risk of GAD (30.8% vs. 16.6%; p = 0.001), a higher mean (SD) GAD-7 score (7.94 (5.29) vs. 6.15 (4.15); p < 0.001), and more severe symptoms (p = 0.003). Univariate analyses showed that participants who were younger, women, unmarried, had lower monthly incomes, underwent testing for COVID-19, had higher contact with COVID-19 patients, did not receive special education, and were unsatisfied with the institutional COVID-19 preparedness scored higher on the GAD-7 scale and had more severe symptoms than their counterparts in both groups. Unlike the onset group, occupation as a physician, COVID-19 infection history, and perception of remarkable changes in work were associated with higher anxiety scores and severity among the one-year group. The COVID-19 vaccine was a relative protective action. Logistic regression analyses showed that the female gender was a risk factor for developing GAD at the pandemic onset, while poor satisfaction with institutional preparedness was a significant GAD risk factor in the one-year group. Low monthly income and lack of special education were the shared risk factors for GAD in both groups. This study reveals a significant rise in anxiety among HCWs over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic and shows the vulnerable sub-groups who likely need psychological interventions.
Highlights
MethodsParticipants were eligible if they werehealthcare workers (HCWs), livingbetween and ducted online using the Google Form tool
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), continues to viciously spread across the world
Our study showed a high proportion of healthcare workers (HCWs) (23.7%) manifesting anxiety symptoms with a significant increase in the prevalence rate over the first year of the pandemic in Jordan (16.6% at onset vs. 30.8% after one year), with a significant increase in the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) mean scores and the percentage of participants in the moderate and severe anxiety categories
Summary
Participants were eligible if they wereHCWs, livingbetween and ducted online using the Google Form tool. The survey was firstly distributed and 30 April 2020, approximately one month after the onset of COVID-19 in Jordan, and this group of respondents was named the “onset” group. The e-surveys were distributed between HCWs from all sectors of healthcare in Jordan, including university hospitals, Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals, military hospitals, and private hospitals. On clicking the received link, the respondents would be directed to the informed consent form, which includes a short description of the objectives and design of the study followed by a consent question plea. If they agree to participate, they will be directed to the e-survey questions.
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