COVID-19-Related Anxiety and Its Association with Dietary Diversity Score Among Health Care Professionals in Ethiopia: A Web-Based Survey

Abstract

Arefayne Alenko,1 Liyew Agenagnew,1 Girma Beressa,2 Yonas Tesfaye,1 Yohannes Markos Woldesenbet,3 Shimelis Girma1 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Madda Walabu University, Goba, Ethiopia; 3School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaitta Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Arefayne AlenkoJimma University, Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Science, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaTel [phone]Email [email protected]: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a stressful and overwhelming situation for health care professionals (HCP), especially, who are caring for patients in the resource-limited health care settings of low-income countries. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia, HCPs are at risk for COVID-19-related anxiety and associated inadequate nutrition. However, the magnitude of COVID-19-related anxiety and its association with dietary diversity among HCPs is not well studied.Objective: To assess the magnitude of COVID-19-related anxiety and its association with dietary diversity score among health care professionals in Ethiopia.Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCPs working in university hospitals, primary hospitals, and health centers in south and southwest Ethiopia. A structured online survey questionnaire was designed on Google forms and carried out from May 15 to June 14, 2020. COVID-19-related anxiety was assessed using the coronavirus anxiety scale. Dietary diversity was measured using 9 items individual dietary diversity score. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24. Multiple logistic regression was computed to identify independent factors associated with COVID-19-related anxiety. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.Results: The prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety among health care professionals was found to be 20.2%. COVID-19-related anxiety is significantly associated with a low dietary diversity score [AOR=5.93 (1.67, 21.07)]. The other factors which are independently associated with COVID-19-related anxiety are the presence of depression [AOR=6.98 (2.91– 16.73)] and diploma educational status [AOR=0.16 (0.04– 0.55)].Conclusion: One-fifth of the study participants were found to have probable COVID-19-related anxiety. Designing a screening and intervention strategy for COVID-19-related anxiety among HCPs, particularly to those with low dietary diversity scores and depression, is recommended.Keywords: COVID-19, anxiety, dietary diversity score, health care professionals

Keywords

• covid-19
• anxiety
• dietary diversity score
• health care professionals