Nurses' COVID-19-related fear and anxiety and their attitudes to the COVID-19 vaccine: A descriptive and correlational study

Abstract

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 has caused psychological distress such as anxiety and fear among nurses worldwide. Nurses are a creditable source of vaccine-related information and have a primary role in building confidence regarding vaccines.AimThe present study was designed to investigate the fear and anxiety of nurses regarding novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine. The predictors of fear, anxiety and attitudes towards the vaccine were also investigated.MethodsA descriptive and correlational design was used. The study was conducted in three public hospitals from different parts of the Turkey, and 405 nurses from the three hospitals were recruited by stratified sampling.ResultsAnxiety and negative attitudes towards the vaccine were positively related to fear of COVID-19. Age and fear were also positively associated with anxiety related to COVID-19. Nurses who had received the vaccine and those who were fearful had a positive attitude towards the vaccine.ConclusionPsychosocial support programmes should be implemented to improve psychological resilience and coping strategies in nurses and organized education programmes are needed to increase positive attitudes towards vaccination. What is already known about this topic?The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the psychological health of nurses.Nurses have a fundamental function in the general acceptance of vaccines.What this paper adds?Relationships were found between COVID-19-related fear, anxiety and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine.Anxiety and a positive attitude towards the vaccine were found to be predictors of fear related to COVID-19.Fear related to COVID-19 and being vaccinated against COVID-19 were predictors of attitudes towards vaccination.The implications of this paper:Nursing managers could organize programmes to improve the coping skills of nurses in responding to situations that cause psychological burden.Nursing managers could support nurses through education to develop positive attitudes towards vaccines.