Association of fear of infection and anxiety with psychological distress among health care providers in Bangladesh responding to COVID-19

It remains unclear how the fear of COVID-19 and anxiety are related to excessive stress on healthcare providers (HCPs) in hospitals treating patients with COVID-19, which impacts their mental well-being. We conducted a survey aimed at the mental health of HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the relationship between factors such as the fear of COVID-19 and anxiety as well as psychological distress.

Data was collected in a web-based cross-sectional survey and the participants were evaluated using the standardized psychological distress scale (GHQ-28), as well as the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FEV-19S), and the Bangla version of the Corona virus Anxiety Scale (CAS) to assess distress, fear of infection and anxiety, respectively. Data was collected from six different hospitals in six districts under two divisions in Bangladesh between November 2021 and January 2022. Collected data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0, using t-test, correlation, and regression.

A total of 300 HCPs participated in this study. Psychological distress was found to vary significantly by gender, residence, and education, with higher distress among females (p < 0.001), rural providers (p < 0.02), and postgraduates. Significant correlations were found between fear of COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001), COVID-19 anxiety (p < 0.001), and psychological distress. It was interesting that being COVID-positive and in quarantine correlated with lower level of distress. The predictors explained 81.3% of the variance in distress, with fear of COVID-19([Exp(coef) = 0.825, 95% CI [0.480, 1.170]), anxiety ([Exp(coef) = 1.621, 95% CI [1.121, 2.122]), gender ([Exp(coef) =  − 13.06, 95% CI [− 17.992, − 8.143]), income ([Exp(coef) = 2.313, 95% CI [0.121, 4.50]), and education ([Exp(coef) =  − 3.287, 95% CI [− 6.182, − 0.393]) showed significant effects.

Considering the present findings, it is important to introduce timely policies, support systems, psychological care, and monitoring plans in the country, which may help in managing COVID-19 related psychological challenges and preparing for similar events.