COVID-19 and the Mental Health of Frontline Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Background: Nurses, as frontline health workers, are exposed to the risks of adverse mental health outcomes due to their direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the mental health of frontline nurses in Behbahan, southwestern Iran. Methods: In this web-based cross-sectional study, data from 173 frontline nurses were collected in 3 COVID-19 referral hospitals in Behbahan, southwestern Iran. This study included demographic information and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the variables affecting mental health. Results: The present study included 173 frontline nurses (nurses and nurse assistants), 71.7 of whom were female and 28.3 of whom were male. Further, 76.3 of frontline nurses were suspected of poor mental health, and 23.7 were mentally healthy. The results of the multivariable logistic regression model showed that female participants had poorer mental health than men (odds ratio OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.16 - 5.41; P = 0.01). The mental health of nurses with a history of COVID-19 infection was poorer than that of nurses without a history of COVID-19 infection (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.42 - 7.53; P = 0.006). Conclusions: The findings of our study showed that female nurses with a history of COVID-19 were more at risk for poor mental health. These groups need more attention and support in epidemics.