The prevalence and risk factors of PTSD symptoms among nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic—A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

AbstractSince the first reported outbreak in China, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has raised serious concerns globally. The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a severe psychological impact on healthcare workers (HCWs), and especially nurses, who are the most numerous and exposed frontline group. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to summarise extant literature on the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the psychological health of nurses, particularly concerning the prevalence and risk factors for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo from March 2020 to July 2023. Articles were included/excluded on predetermined eligibility criteria. A random‐effect meta‐analysis was performed using proportions to determine the pooled prevalence for PTSD among nurses. Subgroup analyses were also performed, and heterogeneity across studies was analysed using meta‐regression. Relatively high prevalence rates of PTSD were reported among nurse populations during the COVID‐19 pandemic in twenty‐six different countries, globally. Risk factors associated with PTSD include having prior mental health co‐morbidities, being a female, having high exposure/contact with COVID‐19 patients, having insufficient protective conditions and having intensive workloads. The overall pooled prevalence was 29.1% (95% C.I. = 23.5%, 35.5%) using a random‐effects model in 55 studies. The regression test of funnel plot asymmetry indicated a significant level of publication bias among studies. The COVID‐19 pandemic is associated with significant levels of PTSD among frontline nurses globally. A high level of heterogeneity was observed across studies. Psychological, social and administrative interventions should be implemented to mitigate heavy psychological distress in nurses.