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Prevalence Estimates and Risk Factors of Anxiety among Healthcare Workers in Jordan over One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Yassin

    (Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi

    (Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Khalid El-Salem

    (Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Reema A. Karasneh

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan)

  • Sayer Al-Azzam

    (Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Aref A. Qarqash

    (Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Aws G. Khasawneh

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Anas M. Zein Alaabdin

    (Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan)

  • Ola Soudah

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Yassin & Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi & Khalid El-Salem & Reema A. Karasneh & Sayer Al-Azzam & Aref A. Qarqash & Aws G. Khasawneh & Anas M. Zein Alaabdin & Ola Soudah, 2022. "Prevalence Estimates and Risk Factors of Anxiety among Healthcare Workers in Jordan over One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2615-:d:757743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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