Investigation of Occupational Stress and Depression among Nurses in COVID- 19 Wards Compared to other Ward: A Study in Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad in 2021

Today the main question is whether all nurses working in the Covid and non-Covid hospitals departments were equally affected by stressors and anxiety producing during the corona pandemic. Therefore, this research is aimed to investigate the occupational stress and depression rate in Coveid-19 wards compared to other words during the corona virus pandemic. 

This research was descriptive-analytical study conducted in Imam Reza hospital of Mashhad, Iran during 2019-2022. The sample size was 144 nurses, including 72 nurses worked in Covid-19 wards and 72 nurses from the other wards. The research tools were two questionnaires including Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), and Depression Short Inventory (BDI) which their validity and reliability were confirmed. Chi-square and two- sample T-test, and Kolmogrov-Smirnov test was utilized for analytical results employed. Inferential statistical methods were used for analytical results by SPSS software. 

No differences was reported between stress rate among two groups nurses. Moreover, despite the higher average of depression score among nurses worked in the Covid wards, the difference was not statistically significant. 

It is not possible to comment with certainty about the differences in the level of stress, anxiety and depression between nurses who worked in the Covid wards compared to other hospital wards. But all nurses worked in hospitals were exposed to physical, and mental problems during Covid pandemic period. Therefore, we suggest the nursing policymakers and senior managers to allocate the comprehensive support program for nurses to improve their quality of work life.