The relationship between smoking and the ‎level of anxiety among doctors working in the ‎hospitals in the Dhi qar region in Iraq ‎

Physicians face a heightened risk of experiencing mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, and occupational burnout. This susceptibility is often attributed to the substantial levels of occupational stress they encounter in their work. Smoking is a common coping mechanism adopted by some individuals to alleviate stress, but its association with anxiety levels among doctors remains under-researched. As a consequence, the mental well-being of healthcare practitioners may be significantly affected, leading to potential psychological challenges. Therefore, the aim of the study is to examine the relationship between smoking and anxiety levels among doctors working in the Alshatra and Al-Haboubi hospitals in the Dhi Qar region of Iraq. To investigate this relationship, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among doctors working in Dhi Qar teaching hospitals to find the relationship between smoking and anxiety levels among doctors. The Sample of this study was composed of 156 doctors (Male and Female) between ‎‎‎26-56 years old and above. A sociodemographic data form and The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale were used as data collection tools. Data were collected from doctors in hospitals of Dhi Qar province between June 2022 to September 2022. The age socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were examined, and it is seen that 35.9% are between 46 and 55 years old, 44.9% of participants were a master's degree, 38.5% of participants had 5-6 people living in the house, according to family monthly income 59% of them had equal income and expense, the participants regarding their working status was examined, it is seen that 56.4% were permanent, 55.8% of participants were in a city or metropolitan area, 87.8% of participants in health insurance answered yes. In addition, of the participants regarding their smoking status, 63.5% answered no; according to how many cigarettes are smoked per day, 63.5% of them did not smoke. According to correlation, there was a statistically significant difference between the Taylor Manifest anxiety scale scores according to the age of the participants (p<0.05), and it was a statistically significant difference between the TMA scale scores according to the educational status of the participants (p<0.05), it had high significant difference between TMA scale and the number of people in the family (p<0.05), monthly income had a significant difference with TMA scale (p<0.05), also according to the working status of the participants had a significant difference with TMA scale (p<0.05), according to the longest place of residence had significant difference with TMA scale (p<0.05), with health insurance status of the participants had significant difference(p<0.05), according to the smoking status of the participants had significant difference (p<0.05), and according to the number of cigarettes smoked by the participants per day had significant difference with TMA scale.(p<0.05). ‎ In conclusion, the relationship between smoking and the level of anxiety among doctors working in hospitals is a complex and multifaceted issue. Through the analysis of existing research and studies, it is evident that a notable association exists between smoking and increased anxiety levels among healthcare professionals, including doctors.