Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Nurses and Auxiliary Nursing Care Technicians—A Voluntary Online Survey

Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez, J. Ángel García-Álvarez, Esperanza García-Marín, María Gutierrez-Serrano, Maria José M. Alférez and Guillermo Ramirez-Vargas
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Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez: Internal Medicine Department, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Algeciras, Spain
J. Ángel García-Álvarez: Internal Medicine Department, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Algeciras, Spain
Esperanza García-Marín: Internal Medicine Department, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Algeciras, Spain
María Gutierrez-Serrano: Internal Medicine Department, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Algeciras, Spain
Maria José M. Alférez: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
Guillermo Ramirez-Vargas: Internal Medicine Department, Punta de Europa Hospital, 11207 Algeciras, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: Pandemics impose an immense psychological burden on healthcare workers due to a combination of workplace stressors and personal fears. Nurses and auxiliary nursing care technicians (ANCTs) are on the front line of this pandemic and form the largest group in healthcare practice. The aim of this study is to determine the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety among nurses and ANCTs during the periods known as the first wave (March–June) and second wave (September–November) of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Spain. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire among nurses and ANCTs practising in Spain. During the first period, 68.3% and 49.6% of the subjects presented anxiety and depression, respectively, decreasing in the second period (49.5% for anxiety and 35.1% for depression). There were statistically significant differences between the different categories and periods ( p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced mental health in nurses and ANCTs. Mental health should be monitored and coping strategies promoted to improve the health, productivity and efficiency of these professionals.

Keywords: COVID-19; health workers; nurse; anxiety; depression; HADS; ANCTs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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