Determining anxiety levels and related factors in operating room nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive study

Background: Health care professionals responsible for care and treatment during outbreaks are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, insomnia and stress.

Aim: This study investigated operating room nurses' anxiety levels and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The research was conducted between July and September 2020. The sample consisted of 192 operating room nurses. Data were collected using a descriptive questionnaire and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Results: Participants had moderate levels of anxiety. The risk factors associated with high levels of anxiety included having chronic diseases, working with patients causing worry, fear of contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to loved ones, incompetence of hospitals in managing the pandemic, lack of support from hospital managers, taking few breaks and working long shifts due to preventive measures at the workplace.

Conclusion and implications of nursing management: The results show that operating room nurses have had moderate anxiety levels since the onset of the pandemic. Therefore, it is critical to regularly identify and meet their mental and emotional needs to implement early preventive interventions. Identifying risk factors will help recognize anxiety in operating room nurses and take measures to protect their mental health while working with high-risk patients in different clinics during the pandemic. What is more, managers should draw up action plans for extraordinary conditions, such as a pandemic.