Open AccessInitial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ecuadorian Healthcare Providers’ self-reported anxiety
Author(s) -
Gabriella Gaus Hinojosa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
práctica familiar rural
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2477-9164
DOI - 10.23936/pfr.v6i2.201
Subject(s) - anxiety , pandemic , health care , covid-19 , psychology , sample (material) , medicine , nursing , psychiatry , family medicine , political science , disease , chemistry , pathology , chromatography , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ecuador was one of the countries most impacted globally. High instances of corruption, widespread COVID-19 fatalities and cases, and a strained health care system impacted Ecuadorian healthcare providers’ occupational responsibilities and environment. The psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ecuadorian healthcare providers are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ecuadorian health care providers’ anxiety. A nationwide survey of 293 physicians, nurses, and health care workers in Ecuador was conducted to understand their self-reported anxiety as measured by the Zung self-reported anxiety scale. Our findings suggest the overall mean sample score (M = 39.14, SD = 8.17) was just under the clinical anxiety threshold. Additionally, a majority (63%, n = 114) of the sample appeared to meet the clinical threshold for anxiety highlighting the significant psychological toll of the COVID-19 crisis on health care workers. Explanatory factors and future policy and research recommendations are discussed.