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Research Article
Assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses in Malawi
Genesis Chorwe-Sungani
Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4296-6394
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Declarations:
Declarations
- This study involved human subjects.
- The author confirmed that all appropriate ethical guidelines for the use of human subjects have been followed, any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee review has been obtained, and information about the IRB/ethics committee is included in the manuscript.
- The author has confirmed that all necessary patient/participant consent or assent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. If the IRB/ethics committee waived the requirement for patient/participant consent or assent, an explanation for the waiver is included in the text.
- The author has confirmed that a statement listing potential conflicts of interest or lack thereof is included in the text.
Introduction: Psychological wellbeing of nurses is crucial for them to effectively discharge their duties. However, COVID-19 related anxiety can interfere with nurses’ performance in their duties and reduce their self-efficacy levels.
Aim: This study aimed at assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses in Malawi.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study that collected data from 102 nurses online. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and receiver operating curve analysis.
Results: This study found that 25.5% (n=26) of respondents had COVID-19 related anxiety and 48% (n=49) functional impairment. There were significant differences in the numbers of respondents who had functional impairment in relation to workplace (χ2=8.7, p= 0.03) with many of those working in hospitals (58.6%, n=34) having highest levels (Mean =20.6±10.4). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale proved to be an effective instrument (Sensitivity=73.1%; Specificity=60.5%; AUC=0.73) for assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses.
Discussion: Prevalence of COVID-19 related anxiety is high among nurses and many of them experience functional impairment. The CAS should be used in clinical practice for detecting COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses.
Implications for practice
Nurses should be screened of COVID-19 related anxiety using valid instrument. Psychosocial interventions should be part of preparedness to reduce COVID-19 impact on nurses.
Keywords
Anxiety, COVID-19, Nurse, Prevalence, functional impairment
Due to technical limitations, tables 1-2 are only available as a download in the supplemental files section.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research Article
Assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses in Malawi
Genesis Chorwe-Sungani
Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4296-6394
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 18 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Nursing
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Declarations:
Declarations
- This study involved human subjects.
- The author confirmed that all appropriate ethical guidelines for the use of human subjects have been followed, any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee review has been obtained, and information about the IRB/ethics committee is included in the manuscript.
- The author has confirmed that all necessary patient/participant consent or assent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. If the IRB/ethics committee waived the requirement for patient/participant consent or assent, an explanation for the waiver is included in the text.
- The author has confirmed that a statement listing potential conflicts of interest or lack thereof is included in the text.
Introduction: Psychological wellbeing of nurses is crucial for them to effectively discharge their duties. However, COVID-19 related anxiety can interfere with nurses’ performance in their duties and reduce their self-efficacy levels.
Aim: This study aimed at assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses in Malawi.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study that collected data from 102 nurses online. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and receiver operating curve analysis.
Results: This study found that 25.5% (n=26) of respondents had COVID-19 related anxiety and 48% (n=49) functional impairment. There were significant differences in the numbers of respondents who had functional impairment in relation to workplace (χ2=8.7, p= 0.03) with many of those working in hospitals (58.6%, n=34) having highest levels (Mean =20.6±10.4). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale proved to be an effective instrument (Sensitivity=73.1%; Specificity=60.5%; AUC=0.73) for assessing COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses.
Discussion: Prevalence of COVID-19 related anxiety is high among nurses and many of them experience functional impairment. The CAS should be used in clinical practice for detecting COVID-19 related anxiety among nurses.
Implications for practice
Nurses should be screened of COVID-19 related anxiety using valid instrument. Psychosocial interventions should be part of preparedness to reduce COVID-19 impact on nurses.
Due to technical limitations, tables 1-2 are only available as a download in the supplemental files section.