COVID-19 salgını sırasında Al-Diwaniyah Eğitim Hastanesinde çalışan hemşireler arasında anksiyete ve depresyon düzeyinin incelenmesi

This study investigated the anxiety and depression of nurses working at Al-Diwaniyah Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also looked into the effect of demographic characteristics (age, gender, and marital status) on their anxiety and depression levels. This descriptive study was conducted at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic between December 27, 2020, and February 26, 2021. The sample consisted of 150 nurses. Participation was voluntary. Data were collected faceto-face using a personal information form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). More than half the participants were women (65.3%). More than a quarter of the participants were younger than 26 (34%). More than half the participants were married (58.7%). Less than half the participants had bachelor's or higher degrees (45.3%). Most participants were non-smokers (71.3%). More than half the participants had been working for less than five years (54.7%) and had no chronic disease (69.3%). One-third of the participants had mild anxiety (33.3%), while one in ten had severe anxiety (10%). Half the participants had normal depression (50%), while ten had severe depression (6.7%). Married participants had a significantly higher mean depression score than single participants. Participants with more than five years of work experience had a significantly higher mean depression score than those with less than five years of work experience. Age, education, income status, gender, place of residence, and smoking habits did not affect participants' HADS scores. Authorities should provide nurses with psychosocial services to support their mental health in times of crisis, such as pandemics. Keywords: COVID-19, Anxiety, Depression, Nursing,