A Comparative Study on the COVID-19-Related Anxiety Between Medical and Non-Medical Staff of Selected Hospitals in Khorramabad, Iran

Recently, the new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a lot of stress and anxiety around the world. The present study aims to determine the level of anxiety caused by COVID-19 in medical staff of selected hospitals in Khorramabad, Iran compared to their non-medical staff.

This is an analytical cross-sectional study that was conducted on 150 medical staff and 150 non-medical (administrative) staff working in Shohadaye Ashayer and Shahid Rahimi hospitals in Khorramabad in 2021 (coincided with the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19). Data collection tools were a demographic information form and the Coronavirus Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). After collecting the data, they were entered into SPSS software, version 22 (statistical) and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and independent t-test.

The mean±SD total CDAS scores for the medical and non-medical staff were 9.31±0.188 and 9.10±0.188, respectively, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.459). In terms of anxiety dimensions, the mean scores of psychological and physical symptoms were higher in medical staff, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.426 and 0.617). In terms of age, gender, educational level, marital status, history of vaccination, previous history of infection with COVID-19, hospital, and type of employment, no significant difference in anxiety was found neither between the medical staff nor between non-medical staff (P>0.05).

There is no difference between medical and non-medical staff of hospitals in Khorramabad in terms of COVID-19-related anxiety. Considering the importance of mental health in both groups, it is recommended to take special measures to reduce their anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.