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

Authors

  • Elham Essa Bukhari College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohamad Hani Temsah College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Ayman A Aleyadhy College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdulkareem A Alrabiaa College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Ali An Alhboob College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Amr A Jamal College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdulaziz A Binsaeed College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.6925

Keywords:

Coronavirus, outbreak, nurses

Abstract

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.

Author Biography

Elham Essa Bukhari, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

pediatric department.

assistant professor

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Published

2016-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Bukhari EE, Temsah MH, Aleyadhy AA, Alrabiaa AA, Alhboob AA, Jamal AA, Binsaeed AA (2016) Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak perceptions of risk and stress evaluation in nurses. J Infect Dev Ctries 10:845–850. doi: 10.3855/jidc.6925

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Section

Original Articles