INVESTIGATION OF FEAR OF COVID-19 , WORK STRESS AND AFFECTING FACTORS IN PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Purpose: Since healthcare workers work in the same environment with infected patients, they have a higher risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission compared to other parts of society, and accordingly, they experience more stress. The aim of this study to investigate the fear of COVID-19, work stress, and affecting factors in prehospital healthcare workers. Material and Methods: The research has a descriptive and cross-sectional design. The research was completed with a total of 399 individuals. Data were collected online using an introductory information form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the General Work Stress Scale. Results: The level of fear of COVID-19 was higher in women compared to men (B=-1.451, p=0.012), in married individuals compared to singles (B=-1.667, p=0.011), in those with low income compared to those with moderate or high income (B=-2.259, p<0.001), and in those who were vaccinated compared to those who were not vaccinated (B=-1.722, p=0.005). Conclusion: In prehospital emergency healthcare workers, the fear of COVID-19 was higher among women, married individuals, those with low income, those who were COVID-19-vaccinated, and those with high levels of anxiety and depression. Those with low income, high education level, and high anxiety level had a higher level of work stress