Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background One of the psychological issues that may affect health care workers (HCWs) during the outbreak of COVID-19 is health anxiety. Health anxiety disorder goes beyond normal health concerns and can seriously affect occupational and interpersonal performance. The present study was desi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00880-y |
| _version_ | 1811293424696950784 |
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| author | Maryam Saeedi Sahar Yazdi Rasoul Corani Bahador |
| author_facet | Maryam Saeedi Sahar Yazdi Rasoul Corani Bahador |
| author_sort | Maryam Saeedi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background One of the psychological issues that may affect health care workers (HCWs) during the outbreak of COVID-19 is health anxiety. Health anxiety disorder goes beyond normal health concerns and can seriously affect occupational and interpersonal performance. The present study was designed to determine the level of COVID-19-related health anxiety and its predictors in Iranian HCWs. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected online through a demographic information questionnaire and the short version of the Health Anxiety Questionnaire. The online questionnaires were created via Google Form and the URL link was sent to HCWs via email or social networking applications. In total, questionnaires were sent to more than 1,500 HCWs throughout Iran. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 23. Results Five hundred and fifty-two HCWs completed and sent the questionnaires. The mean scores of health anxiety of HCWs were higher than the cutoff point of health anxiety (17.28 ± 8.84) and 58.1% of HCWs had health anxiety. There was a significant inverse relationship between health anxiety score and age (r = − 0.13; P = 0.002), work experience (r = − 0.16; P < 0.001) and income level (r = − 0.097; P = 0.03). The rate of health anxiety was significantly higher in females (P = 0.03). Based on regression results, age and hospital category were significant risk factors for health anxiety. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, employees working in health centers in Iran had high health anxiety. Due to the high level of health anxiety in HCWs, it is important to consider strategies to reduce their health anxiety in the current situation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:01:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-deee9e472cd3453c83a81bc0bc31eb5e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T05:01:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-deee9e472cd3453c83a81bc0bc31eb5e2022-12-22T03:01:19ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832022-07-011011710.1186/s40359-022-00880-yPredictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional studyMaryam Saeedi0Sahar Yazdi1Rasoul Corani Bahador2Saveh University of Medical SciencesSaveh University of Medical SciencesSaveh University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background One of the psychological issues that may affect health care workers (HCWs) during the outbreak of COVID-19 is health anxiety. Health anxiety disorder goes beyond normal health concerns and can seriously affect occupational and interpersonal performance. The present study was designed to determine the level of COVID-19-related health anxiety and its predictors in Iranian HCWs. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected online through a demographic information questionnaire and the short version of the Health Anxiety Questionnaire. The online questionnaires were created via Google Form and the URL link was sent to HCWs via email or social networking applications. In total, questionnaires were sent to more than 1,500 HCWs throughout Iran. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 23. Results Five hundred and fifty-two HCWs completed and sent the questionnaires. The mean scores of health anxiety of HCWs were higher than the cutoff point of health anxiety (17.28 ± 8.84) and 58.1% of HCWs had health anxiety. There was a significant inverse relationship between health anxiety score and age (r = − 0.13; P = 0.002), work experience (r = − 0.16; P < 0.001) and income level (r = − 0.097; P = 0.03). The rate of health anxiety was significantly higher in females (P = 0.03). Based on regression results, age and hospital category were significant risk factors for health anxiety. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, employees working in health centers in Iran had high health anxiety. Due to the high level of health anxiety in HCWs, it is important to consider strategies to reduce their health anxiety in the current situation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00880-yAnxietyHealth PersonnelCoronavirusCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Saeedi Sahar Yazdi Rasoul Corani Bahador Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study BMC Psychology Anxiety Health Personnel Coronavirus COVID-19 |
| title | Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Predictors of COVID-19-related health anxiety among health care workers: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | predictors of covid 19 related health anxiety among health care workers a cross sectional study |
| topic | Anxiety Health Personnel Coronavirus COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00880-y |
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