MAGNITUDE OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING ON COVID-19 AT DILLA REFERRAL HOSPITAL DILLA, ETHIOPIA

Background: In Ethiopia, Corona confirmed cases are increasing from time to time, and health care professionals were front line exposed risky groups for infection. The mental health of the health professional is vital for better care and treatment outcome patients. This study aimed to determine the health care professional’s current mental health status and associated factors in response to the pandemic.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey using a consecutive sampling technique was employed from April 5-10, 2020. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was the assessment tool used to determine current anxiety symptoms. Multivariate Logistic regressions at 95% CI and p< 0.05 were used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable.

Results: This study enrolled a total of 326 respondents, and the overall prevalence of GAD was 40.2%. Variables associated with General anxiety disorder were being female, family size 3+, nurses, working in out-patient and emergency service, and ≤ 3years working experience at 95% confidence interval, p< 0.05.

Conclusions: This study found that more than one-third of the respondents had a general anxiety disorder in response to the pandemic, and identified groups of the participants were female, nurses, family size 3 +, and ≤ three years of working experience. So there should be immediate psychological intervention and training for an identified group of peoples to promote the mental health status of health professionals for better and quality health service.