The Effect of Covid-19 on Anxiety, Quality of Work Life and Fatigue of Health Care Providers in Health Care Centers

Abstract Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Covid-19 on anxiety, quality of work life and fatigue of health center staff in southwestern Iran. Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive comparative study and the statistical population of the study included the staff of health centers of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Using random sampling method, 181 people who had direct involvement with patients with Covid-19 were selected and compared with 261 staff in other wards who had no direct contact with patients with Covid-19. For data collection, demographic information (demographic characteristics questionnaire) , Covid-19 Anxiety Questionnaire, quality of work life and Rhoten fatigue questionnaires were used.Results: The results showed that the quality of life in both groups decreased and fatigue and anxiety caused by Covid-19 increased, but there was no statistically significant difference between anxiety derived fatigues of personnel involved with Covid-19 with personnel of other wards which were no directly faced Covid-19 patients. Regarding the quality of work life, no significant difference was observed in other components except in the component of human resource development. The results also showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the level of anxiety caused by Covid-19 with quality of work life and fatigue.Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, Covid-19 had a negative effect on physical, mental and various aspects of quality of life of health care staff and led to increased fatigue and burnout, resulting in absence from work and its consequences.