Occupational Stress, Anxiety and Fear of COVID-19 in Colombian Physicians
Abstract
Introduction: Epidemics can cause anxiety in the general population and health professionals. The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus is no exception. This study’s objective is to identify symptoms of work-related stress, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in physicians, as well as to discover their relation with the territorial body in which they work. Methodology: This is a cross-cutting study that explored the symptoms and perceptions of Colombian physicians forced to quarantine, who exercised their profession in March, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having provided informed consent anonymously and voluntarily, participants completed a virtual form with general questions on COVID-19. The survey was aimed at finding psychosomatic problems using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) scale. Participants were classified as working in non-capital or capital municipalities according to the territorial body in which they practiced. Logistic regression between the territorial body (which was taken as an independent variable here) and symptoms of anxiety, work-related stress and fear of COVID-19 (which, in this case, were taken as dependent variables) was performed. Results: Five hundred and thirty-one general physicians participated, with an average age of 30. Seventy-three point three percent practiced in a capital municipality. One third of the surveyed physicians presented mild work-related stress, while 6% presented high or severe work-related stress, without differences between groups (p < 0.05). Symptoms of anxiety were found in 72.9% of the surveyed physicians, more frequently among those who practiced in capitals (p = 0.044). Thirty-seven point one percent presented symptoms of fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S). No relation was observed in the logistic regression. Discussion: Psychosocial and psychosomatic factors associated with fear are the common denominators of symptoms of anxiety and work-related stress during pandemics. Conclusion: Seven of every ten participants presented symptoms of anxiety or work-related stress, while four presented symptoms of FCV-19S. No relation was observed with the municipalities in which they worked.
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