Exploring the factors associated with coronaphobia among physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak in Egypt

BackgroundCoronaphobia refers to intensified and persistent fears of contracting COVID-19 virus infection. This study aimed to evaluate the newly termed phenomenon, coronaphobia, and address its associated correlates among Egyptian physicians during the outbreak. A cross-sectional study, including a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 2021-07, Vol.57 (1), p.105-105
Main Authors: Abdelghani, Mohamed, Hassan, Mervat S, Elgohary, Hayam M, Fouad Eman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Coronaphobia
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 outbreak
Egypt
Fear & phobias
Physicians
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Summary:BackgroundCoronaphobia refers to intensified and persistent fears of contracting COVID-19 virus infection. This study aimed to evaluate the newly termed phenomenon, coronaphobia, and address its associated correlates among Egyptian physicians during the outbreak. A cross-sectional study, including a total of 426 Egyptian physicians working during COVID-19 outbreak, was conducted between March 1st and May 1st, 2020. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were utilized for assessment of coronaphobia, and comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms among physicians, respectively during the outbreak.ResultsModerate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety and depression were reported by 28% and 30% of physicians, respectively. Physicians experiencing higher levels of coronaphobia were more likely to be females, nonsmokers, having death wishes and/or self-harming thoughts, receiving insufficient training, dissatisfied with their personal protective equipment (PPE), and had colleagues infected with COVID-19 virus infection. Coronaphobia was positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.59, P < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.47, P < 0.001).ConclusionsEgyptian physicians experienced higher levels of coronaphobia, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak. Yet, frontline physicians did not differ from their second-line counterparts regarding the aforementioned symptoms. Routine mental and physical assessment measures of medical staff should be implemented.
ISSN:1110-1083
1687-8329
DOI:10.1186/s41983-021-00357-6