The effect of occupational risks of healthcare professionals on work stress in the period of COVID-19 (Trabzon province example)

This study is a descriptive study to determine the effect of occupational risks of work stress during COVID-19 period on health workers working at SBU Trabzon Ahi Evren Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital. Besides it is planned to provide solutions to reduce work stress levels. Data collection was performed by a questionnaire which consists of the informed consent form created by the researchers by literature review, socio-demographic characteristics, occupational risks and hazards encountered in the work environment, questions including the factors affecting work stress, and the questions of "Healthcare Workers Safety Scale" and "Beck Anxiety Scale". The questionnire took around 20 minutes during the resting hours of participants under direct observation. There were 150 participants working at SBU Trabzon Ahi Evren Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital between September-November 2020. Data analysis was performed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, t test, Mann Whitney U test, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis and correlation tests with a significance level of 0.05. In this study, the mean score of WCS and the mean of BAI score were found 156.20±28.33, 34.57±9.76 respectively in healthcare workers working during the pandemic. As the working hours of healthcare workers increase, their occupational safety and anxiety decrease. As the occupational safety of health workers increases, their anxiety decreases. Studies should be carried out to increase the number and awareness of occupational health and safety trainings for healthcare participants.