Anxiety Level in PHEMSPs During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objectives: We aimed to determine the anxietylevel in prehospital emergency medical services personnel (PHEMSPs), andto investigate factors that potentially affect the anxietylevelduring the pandemic.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted with PHEMSPsduring the COVID-19 pandemic. The surveycomprised 60 items,including socio-demographic characteristics, demographic factorsthat are thought to be related to anxiety, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale scores.
Results: Among 586 PHEMSPs participatingin the study, 50.5% were female, and the median age was 30 years.The mean STAI-Svalue was 42.2, and the median STAI-T value was 48.The anxiety levels of female PHEMSPs(STAI-S=51, STAI-T=44.14) were higher than male(STAI-S=44, STAI-T=40.26). The anxiety level of patients with chronic diseases(STAI-S=56, STAI-T=45.77)was significantly higher than without chronic diseases. State anxiety scores in married individuals (STAI-S=49)were higher than thoseinunmarried individuals.
Conclusion: It is obvious that people who provide this service should be psychologically healthy so that people can benefit from healthcare provision more efficiently. All types of mediaassume a great responsibility inreducing the unrest or anxiety that may occur in humans, especially because of theirpotential to reach many parts of the society.