AUTHOR=Saddik Basema , Elbarazi Iffat , Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Saheb Sharif-Askari Fatemeh , Kheder Waad , Hussein Amal , Najim Hellme , Bendardaf Riyad , Hamid Qutayba , Halwani Rabih 

TITLE=Psychological Distress and Anxiety Levels Among Health Care Workers at the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Arab Emirates

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 66 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.1604369

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.1604369

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: Providing medical care during a global pandemic exposes healthcare workers (HCW) to a high level of risk, causing anxiety and stress. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and psychological distress among HCWs during COVID-19.  
Methods: We invited HCWs from 3 hospitals across the UAE to participate in an anonymous online survey between April 19-May 3, 2020. The GAD-7 and K10 measures were used to assess anxiety and psychological distress. Logistic regression models assessed associations between knowledge, attitude, worry, and levels of anxiety and psychological distress. 
Results: 481 HCWs enrolled in this study. Almost half were nurses (56.1%), and the majority females. Over a third, (37%) of HCWs reported moderate/severe psychological distress and moderate/severe anxiety (32.3%). Worry about spreading COVID-19 to family, being isolated, contracting COVID-19, and feeling stigmatized had 1.8- to 2.5-fold increased odds of symptoms of mental health problems.
Conclusions: HCWs in the UAE reported a high prevalence of psychological distress and anxiety while responding to the challenges of COVID-19. Multidisciplinary mental health units are required to address psychological health issues among HCWs.