Occupational Health and Safety among Nurses: Assessing the Level of Stress in Nurses in Infectious Resuscitation

Background: Nurses working in infectious disease units during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced increased occupational hazards, emotional strain, and physical exhaustion. Understanding the level and sources of stress is essential for developing targeted interventions and fostering a safer working environment. Objective: This study investigates stress levels among nurses working in infectious resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Albania. It aims to identify contributing factors such as workload, infection exposure, and demographic variables, and assess their impact on nurses’ mental health and care quality. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at the Infectious Hospital in Tirana between September and December 2021. Twenty nurses who had provided care for COVID-19 patients completed a structured survey and participated in open-ended discussions. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between stress levels and variables including age, workload, and infection frequency. Results: Fifty percent of nurses reported high levels of stress, while 40% reported very high stress during the pandemic. Infection rates and increased workload were positively associated with higher stress levels. Age did not significantly impact stress. Frequent infections and demanding work conditions were key stressors affecting both physical and psychological health. Conclusion: Workload and repeated infections were major contributors to elevated stress levels among infectious disease nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underline the need for targeted occupational health interventions and mental health support for frontline healthcare workers.