Comparison of Mental Health of Nurses and General Population During the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic in Iran

Introduction: COVID-۱۹ crisis can affect the mental health of individuals. Anxiety and depression are two of many consequences of the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. The present study aimed to investigate the anxiety and depression of nurses and the general population during the COVID -۱۹ pandemic in Iran.Methods: The statistical population was all of the Tehran general population, and nurses were working in the Tehran province of Iran. A total of ۲۰۶۰ general population and ۵۱۶ nurses completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-۹) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-۷).Results: The anxiety (۸.۷۳± ۴.۵۲) and depression (۹.۰۳±۵.۸۷) revealed that the anxiety and depression of nurses were mild. The anxiety (۷.۷۵±۴.۹۶) and depression (۸.۳۳±۶.۳۳) showed that the anxiety and depression of general participants were mild. The mean of anxiety in nurses was significantly higher than the general population (P=۰.۰۲۱). Also, the average anxiety in nurses was significantly higher than the general population (P=۰.۰۳۱).Conclusion: The anxiety and depression of emergency nurses are higher than the general population. It means they need more attention in supportive programs such as mental health-promoting interventions during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic.