Determining the Anxiety Levels of Emergency Health Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the anxiety levels of emergency healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 153 healthcare workers in emergency service clinics who cared for patients suspected of COVID-19. Study data were obtained using a descriptive characteristics questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The mean state anxiety score of emergency healthcare workers was 42.76 +/- 10.06, the mean trait anxiety score was 42.11 +/- 8.22, and the total scale mean score was 84.88 +/- 15.11. No significant relationships were found between STAI scores and participants' descriptive characteristics (i.e., workplace, gender, marital status, age, profession, years of experience, and satisfaction with work conditions). Conclusion: This study revealed that emergency healthcare workers experienced anxiety at the panic level.