Fear and anxiety of the COVID-19 and its relationship with nurse caring behaviors of nursing students: A cross sectional study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1 Student Research Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2 Department of E-Learning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School and Center of Excellence in E-Learning, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

3 PhD in nursing, , Assistant professor, Medical – Surgical department, School of Nursing. Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran

10.30476/jhmi.2024.102520.1219

Abstract

Introduction: The emergence of COVID-19 and its pandemic nature has caused great fear worldwide. Pandemics led to economic and social and mental health problems. Fear and anxiety are one of the main factors affecting the life and mental health of students, which can affect caring behaviors of nurses. The purpose of the present study was to determine the correlation between fear and anxiety of the COVID-19 with nurse caring behaviors of nursing students.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 236 nursing students in 2021 in collage of Nursing and Midwifery in Shiraz. The census sampling method was used. Data collection was done using internet links through groups Whats app was given to the participants. The data collection tool included fear of the COVID-19, COVID-19 Disease Anxiety Scale and the caring behavior inventory (CBI). Data collection was carried out within 2 months. Data analysis was also carried out using SPSS v.21 software and descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: The highest percentage of students had moderate(30.9%) and high(20.7%) anxiety levels that are represented by scores 17-29, and 30-54, respectively. And 85.2% of students were not afraid of COVID-19. There was no significant correlation between fear of COVID-19 disease and care behavior(r=0.3,P=0.644) and anxiety with care behaviors(r= - 0.17,P=0.801).
Conclusion: nursing students experienced moderate and high levels of COVID-19 anxiety while mildly fearing this disease. However, their average caring behavior was desirable. Managers and officials of the nursing profession think of measures to manage the anxiety of nursing students during the epidemic.

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