Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 process and the measures taken on fatigue, anxiety and depression levels in individuals, and the factors that may cause this effect. Methods: The study is of cross-sectional type. A total of 281 participants who applied to the pandemic outpatient clinic were included in the study. Data collection form with 27 questions and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with 14 questions were used in the study. Relationships between data were evaluated with t-test and chi-square test in independent groups. The importance levels of the factors affecting the anxiety and depression scores were determined by the Chaid Analysis. Statistically, cases with p<.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 281 participants, with a mean age of 40.09±12.35 years and 56.2% women, were included in the study. The mean depression score of the participants in HADS was 7.43±3.85. The mean anxiety score was 8.11±4.04. 61.6% of the participants had depression and 31.0% had anxiety. According to Chaid’s analysis, the most effective factor on anxiety and depression scores was that the fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection exhausted the individual. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was found that the frequency of depression and anxiety was high in patients who applied to the pandemic outpatient clinic. It was determined that more than half of the participants were afraid of catching an infection and this fear caused fatigue in them. Mental health should not be ignored during the pandemic period and both physical and mental health of people should be protected with holistic approaches.

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