ABSTRACT
Objective
To analyze the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and associated factors in Nursing staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Method
A cross-sectional web survey study, with 490 Nursing professionals from medium and high complexity services in a state in northeastern Brazil. The association between the outcomes and the independent variables was through the Rao-Scott chi-square test and the Poisson regression model.
Results
The occurrence of symptoms suggestive of mental disorders (anxiety and depression) was related to female Nursing professionals, brown skin color or race, with a monthly income below 5 minimum wages and working in the private sector, having symptoms of the Burnout Syndrome and living with their parents. The occurrences were more accentuated when the services did not have adequate working conditions, especially for coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion and implications for the practice
Actions that aim to improve the working conditions and that encourage the practice of physical activities can be beneficial for the maintenance and strengthening of the mental health conditions of this population.
Keywords:
Coronavirus infections; Psychological Stress; Mental Health; Depression; Anxiety