Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak perceptions of risk and stress evaluation in nurses

• Published in: Journal of infection in developing countries Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 845 - 850
• Main Authors: Bukhari, Elham Essa, Temsah, Mohamad Hani, Aleyadhy, Ayman A, Alrabiaa, Abdulkareem A, Alhboob, Ali An, Jamal, Amr A, Binsaeed, Abdulaziz A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 01.08.2016; The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
• Subjects: Adult; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - transmission; Coronaviruses; Disease Outbreaks; Fear - psychology; Female; Humans; Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; Male; Middle Aged; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Nurses; Nurses - psychology; outbreak; Respiratory diseases; Saudi Arabia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Middle East
• ISSN: 1972-2680; 2036-6590; 1972-2680
• DOI: 10.3855/jidc.6925

Introduction: Saudi Arabia was affected by an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We aimed to determine the perception of risk and level of stress among nurses. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was administered to determine the perceptions of risk of MERS-CoV infection. Results: The majority of the participants were females (332; 86.0%), and there were 54 (14.0%) males. Of the 386 respondents, nurses constituted the majority of the respondents (293; 75.9%), and there were 34 doctors (8.8%). The percentage of exposure was found to be greater in those who were working in the intensive care unit (ICU) (89; 23%). There was a significant difference in the worry and fear scale of contracting the MERS-CoV infection between participants who worked in isolation areas, ICUs, and emergency rooms (mean: 3.01 ± 1.1) compared to participants who worked in areas that are less likely to admit and have MERS-CoV suspected or positive cases (mean: 2.77 ± 1.1; p = 0.031. Females were significantly more worried and fearful of contracting the virus compared to males (mean: 2.92 ± 1.1 versus 2.61 ± 1.0, respectively; p = 0.045). Conclusions: MERS-CoV caused a relatively significant level of distress among nurses. There was a difference in the worry and fear scale of contracting the MERS-CoV infection between participants who worked in areas likely to admit and have MERS-CoV suspected or positive cases. After the campaign, the level of confidence got higher and the participants were more adherent to the infection control precautions.