The mental health of Iranian nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nurses not only face an increase in workload and intensity but are also required to adhere to strict protective protocols in their work environments. The inability to be with family and wear masks and other protective equipment can negatively impact nurses' mental well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mental health of nurses in healthcare units during the COVID-19 outbreak. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 nurses working in Boukan City Hospital in 2022. The sampling method was a census, and the Goldberg 28-item mental health questionnaire collected data. The present study showed a moderate level of mental health among hospital nurses, with a mean of 25.40 (standard deviation [SD]=18.90). Physical symptoms had a mean score of 7.40 (SD=4.11), while anxiety symptoms were slightly higher at 8.41 (SD=4.60). Social symptoms had a mean of 7.21 (SD=2.65), and depression symptoms were the lowest at 2.71 (SD=2.60). Among the dimensions of general health, the most significant problems were related to anxiety and sleep disorders. Furthermore, no significant difference was found between mental health and demographic characteristics. The results indicated that nurses' mental health was moderate. Anxiety was the most affected dimension of mental health. Therefore, it is recommended that health managers and officials promote nurses' mental health by holding workshops on the prevention of COVID-19 and strengthening cognitive skills.