Impact of anxiety and fear for COVID-19 toward infection control practices among Thai healthcare workers

The emergence of COVID-19 is the most challenging threat to international public health.1,2 The epidemic had a vast impact on healthcare personnel (HCP), who are at risk for contracting diseases and transmission to their patients and families. The uncertainty about the mode of transmission, including infectivity of asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients,may have created substantial stress in HCP who provide care for known or suspected COVID-19 patients.3 This anxiety may lead to substandard care for patients that may negatively impact patient safety. As of April 26, 2020,4 there were 2,951 patients with COVID-19 in Thailand, and 99 HCP had contracted COVID- 19 during patient care. Few data are available concerning the impact of HCP emotions (eg, anxiety and fear) toward infection prevention practices.5,6 To evaluate the HCP emotions for COVID-19 toward infection prevention practices at 4 hospitals, a we conducted a survey.