Anxiety levels and sleep quality of nurses that provided care for coronavirus patients

This was a descriptive study conducted with the aim of identifying the anxiety levels and sleep quality of nurses who provided care for coronavirus patients. The study sample consisted of 240 nurses working in the pandemic services of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital, Toyota Emergency Hospital, and Düzce Atatürk State Hospital between February 2021 and February 2022. Data were collected using the "Personal Data Form", "Coronavirus Anxiety Scale", "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory", and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)". Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical methods, parametric comparison tests, and correlation tests. The nurses' State Anxiety score was 47.74±12.27, Trait Anxiety score was 46.96±9.58, and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale score was 2.91±3.77, and they had a moderate level of anxiety. The study found that the mean PSQI score of the nurses was 9.72±3.48 and that their sleep quality was low. In addition, there was a weak, positive (r=0.345; p<0.05), and statistically significant linear relationship between the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scores and the PSQI total scores of nurses, and there was a moderate, positive, and statistically significant linear relationship between the State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety scores and the PSQI total scores (r=0.495; p<0.05), (r=0.502; p<0.05). The results of the study suggest that there is a need for measures and remedial strategies for the risk factors affecting the anxiety level and sleep quality of nurses during the pandemic process; and that new plans should be made to improve nurses' working conditions in order to increase their sleep quality and reduce their anxiety levels. Keywords: Nurse, anxiety, coronavirus, pandemic, sleep