Comparison of Anxiety of the Children of Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The children of healthcare workers (HCWs) constitute a group highly vulnerable to anxiety disorders during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and severity of anxiety between the children of HCWs and non-HCWs while identifying factors contributing to this anxiety. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 334 children aged between 6 and 17 years to assess their anxiety levels. The risk factors related to anxiety were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Significant risk factors for anxiety included having parents who were HCWs, having parents with psychiatric disorders, changes in household members, and following news updates (p=0.045, 0.022, 0.021, and 0.024, respectively). Children of HCWs working in COVID-19 clinics exhibited a higher prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety than the other groups (p=0.036). Additionally, prolonged screen time and changes in sleep duration were more common in children with moderate to severe anxiety. Conclusion: The results suggest that the children of HCWs may be more prone to anxiety symptoms than the children of parents in other professions.

Keywords

• anxiety
• covid-19
• pandemic
• children
• healthcare workers