Prevalence and Factors Associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder During Covid19 Pandemic among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Facility in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The potential risk of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the psychological challenges that accompanied the pandemic posed a major threat and evoked high levels of anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Nigeria. Thus, this study aimed to assess healthcare workers' perceived threat of COVID-19, determine the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among respondents and elucidate the factors associated with GAD. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, 8-item Perceived Threat Scale, and a socio-demographic data collection sheet was used to obtain information from eligible healthcare workers who were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21, at a statistical significance level of p <0.05. Results: Two hundred and thirteen HCWs participated in the study. COVID-19 posed moderatesevere threats to 57.3% of the participants, and the prevalence of GAD among respondents was 25.4%. Having a moderate-severe perception of threat by COVID-19 (p=0.039), being unmarried (p= .026), being previously suspected to have COVID-19 (p=0.018) and being directly involved in the care of COVID-19 patients (p=0.031) were significantly associated with anxiety disorder after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion: COVID-19 posed a substantial threat to HCWs and the prevalence of GAD among the study group was high. Government, public health institutions and non-governmental organizations have the responsibility to practically demonstrate concern for the mental well-being of HCWs by investing in mental health resources and providing adequate physical, material and psychological support for HCWs to guarantee their well-being.