Death Anxiety and Its Related Factors in Emergency Medical Technicians in Qom, Iran, in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the first healthcare providers in the time of crisis. They are exposed to many physical and psychological risks, including death anxiety. The present study aims to investigate the death anxiety level and its related factors in EMTs in Qom, Iran, in the post-COVID-19 era. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 185 EMTs from the hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Sampling was done by simple random method. The data collection tool was Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale. Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 23 using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analyses. Results: The mean total score of death anxiety was 6.4±3.05. Based on the results of the multivariate regression analysis, the variables of age, marital status, and work experience could explain 43% of the variance in death anxiety of EMTs (β=0.433, P=0.001). Conclusion: Death anxiety of EMTs in Qom in the post-COVID-19 era is at a moderate level. The factors of age, marital status, and work experience are the predictors of death anxiety in EMTs. It is recommended that older, married, and more experienced EMTs should receive more psychological evaluations and consultations.

Keywords

• anxiety disorders
• post-covid-19 era
• emergency medical technicians
• iran