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Investigation of Anxiety among Pharmacy Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Cyprus

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Associate Professor, M.D., Ph.D., Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Turkey

2 Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Turkey

3 Pharmacist, Pharm.D., Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Turkey

4 Pharmacist, Pharm.D. Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Northern Cyprus, Turkey

5 Assistant Professor, PhD., Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Ege University, ?zmir, Turkey

6 Assistant Professor, PhD., Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is common among university students and previous research has highlighted the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and higher anxiety scores in the public.
Objectives: In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety status of pharmacy students studying in Northern Cyprus and analyze the role of some parameters on the observed anxiety scores.
Methods: Anxiety scores of 185 pharmacy students studying at two universities in Northern Cyprus were evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) assessments. Additionally, the information of participants was recorded in terms of sociodemographic and educational characteristics, antidepressants and anxiolytic use, and consumption of vitamin-mineral supplements. The questionnaires were distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic from December 11, 2020, to January 4, 2021, online via the Microsoft Teams® platform. It should be mentioned that responses were anonymous.
Results: The mean BAI and GAD-7 scores of pharmacy students were 13.1±11.2 and 10±6.7, respectively. Based on the results, 6% of the students (n=11) revealed potentially concerning levels of anxiety in their BAI responses. Moreover, 31.9% of the pharmacy students (n=59) demonstrated severe anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Positive COVID-19 cases in the family led to statistically significant increases in anxiety on both instruments. Pharmacy students with five years of education (B.Pharm/M.Pharm) showed significantly higher anxiety scores on the BAI. Besides, age correlated negatively with anxiety scores on the GAD-7. Neither antidepressant and anxiolytic use nor vitamin/mineral supplement use were not related to the anxiety scores of participants.
Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated an alarming anxiety status among pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Diagnosis of a family member with COVID-19 was observed to be critical in triggering the anxiety of pharmacy students. Data from this study should raise awareness to take action plans for the mental well-being of pharmacy students during pandemics.

Keywords

References
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Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (IRCMJ)
Volume 24, Issue 12 - Serial Number 12
2022
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History
  • Receive Date: 28 September 2022
  • Revise Date: 26 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 27 January 2024
  • First Publish Date: 27 January 2024
  • Publish Date: 01 December 2022
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