Abstract:
Introduction
In late 2019, a new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease
2019) was identified. As there is no any drug to treat this pandemic, the healthcare professionals are disproportionately at higher risk. The mental health outcome is expected to be
high. Anxiety is expected to have a significant impact on health professionals, especially
among those who work without adequate resources for self-protection.
Objectives
The objectives of this research was to assess self-reported anxiety symptoms and associated factors among Ethiopian healthcare professionals in the early stages of the pandemic.
Methods
We have conducted an online cross-sectional study to collect information from healthcare
professionals in Ethiopia during the early stage of the outbreak from April 7, 2020 to May 19,
2020. GAD-7 was used for measurement of anxiety. We have used a cut of point of 10 and
above to report anxiety symptoms. We have used Google Forms for online data collection
and SPSS-22 for analysis. To determine associated factors for anxiety, a binary logistic
regression model was used. Variables with p-value < 0.2 during the bivariable binary logistic
regression were exported for further analysis in the multivariable binary logistic regression.
Finally, variables with p-value <0.05 were considered as significantly associated with the
outcomes.
Results
Three hundred and eighty-eight healthcare professionals filled the online questionnaire;
Majority (71.1%) were males. Significant number of respondents (78.9%) reported lack of
adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) at the work place. The prevalence of anxiety
was 26.8%.
Being female (AOR: 1.88; 95% C.I:1.11, 3.19), visiting/treating 30–150 patients per day
(AOR: 3.44; 95% C.I:1.51, 7.84), those employed at private healthcare institutions (AOR:
2.40; 95% C.I:1.17, 4.90), who do not believe that COVID-19 is preventable (AOR: 2.04;
95% C.I:1.04, 4.03) and those who reported lack of PPE (AOR: 1.98; 95% C.I:1.04, 3.79)
were more likely to be anxious.
Conclusions
The anxiety prevalence among healthcare professionals in Ethiopia during early stage of
COVID-19 pandemic was high. This study shows that lack of preventive equipment, being
female, contact with many patients, low self-efficacy and working in private health facilities
were risk factors for anxiety. Anxiety prevention among health professionals during COVID-
19 pandemic requires a holistic approach including provision of sufficient PPE, improving
self-efficacy and addressing problems both at public and private institutions and focusing
more on female health professionals.
