The effect of COVİD-19 fear on care behaviors in intensive care unit nurses

This study was conducted descriptively and cross-sectionally to determine the effect of the fear of Covid-19 experienced by nurses working in the intensive care unit during the pandemic on their care behaviors. The population of the research consisted of nurses working in the intensive care units of public hospitals (state hospitals, training and research-city hospitals, university hospitals) throughout Turkey. The sample of the research consisted of 171 nurses who worked in the specified type of hospitals and agreed to participate in the research using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the "Nurse Introductory Information Form", "Covid-19 Fear Scale" and "Care Behaviors Scale (BDI-24)", which includes the sociodemographic characteristics of nurses and their characteristics regarding Covid-19. The questionnaire and scales were delivered to the participants online via Google Form between January 2021 and August 2021. Research data were analyzed using the SPSS 21 package program. value of data Descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, average, standard deviation, minimum-maximum), G Power, Cronbach alpha coefficient, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskall Wallis H Test and spearman-correlation analysis were used in the analysis. In evaluating the data, p value <0,05 was considered significant. The average KKÖ score of the nurses participating in the research was found to be 19,81±6,57, and the KKÖ average score of women (20,43±6,46) and the average KKÖ score of nurses who expressed that they were dissatisfied with their profession (22,22±7,14) were lower during the pandemic. The average KKS score of nurses who think that the increase in the number of patients reduces nursing care is (20,57±6,69), the KKÖ average score of nurses who are afraid of catching Covid-19 is (22,03±5,97) and the nurses who state that vaccination does not affect their fear of catching the virus. It was determined that the mean KCS score (21,52±6,63) was statistically significantly higher than that of other nurses participating in the study (p<0,05). The BDI-24 mean score was found to be 5,18±0,89, and the knowledge-skill subdimension mean score of married nurses was (5,38±0,82) and the BDI-24 mean score of nurses working in a university hospital was (5,70±0,82). 0,46), was statistically higher, the mean BDI-24 score (4,95±0,90) of nurses working in the 2nd step Intensive Care Unit, and the average BDI-24 score of nurses who stated that the time they devoted to patient care decreased during the pandemic. average (4,92±0,78) It was determined to be statistically lower (p<0,05). There was no significant relationship between the mean scores of fear of Covid-19 and the mean scores of BDI-24 (p = 0,067). There is a positive significant relationship between the mean score of fear of Covid-19 and the mean scores of BDI-24 sub-dimensions of respect, commitment and knowledge-skills (respectively; p=0,038, r=0,159; p=0,023, r=0,174; p= 0,08, r=0,208). The results obtained in this study show that fear of Covit-19 and care behaviors are at a moderate level, and fear does not affect care behaviors, but is related to the sub-dimensions of the care behaviors scale, namely respectfulness, commitment, and knowledge-skill scores. As the fear of Covid-19 increases, respectfulness, commitment, and knowledge decrease. It can be said that skill-related maintenance behaviors have increased. It is recommended to conduct further studies investigating the relationship between fear of Covid-19 and care behaviors and the variables affecting this relationship.