Factors affecting the incidence of fatigue among nursing staff caring for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2

Background
Nursing is a profession burdened by many biological, physical and psychosocial factors that contribute to fatigue and have a negative impact on the health of staff. An additional challenge was posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to many changes, an increase in the intensity of work and thus the fatigue that nurses had to face.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting the incidence of fatigue among nursing staff caring for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Material and methods
A diagnostic survey method and the questionnaire technique were used in the study. Standardised research tools such as the Self-Concept Evaluation Questionnaire (CIS-20R), Condition Emotional Control Scale (CECS) worksheet, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) worksheet, Multidimensional Inventory for the Measurement of Coping with Stress (Mini-COPE) worksheet and the author’s survey questionnaire were used.

Results
The most common strategy for coping with stress was active action (M = 2.16) and planning (M = 2.14). The overall index of emotion control was 51.05 on average, and the overall index of anxiety and emotion control shows a correlation with concentration deterioration within chronic fatigue. Anger and depression had no effect on the overall index of chronic fatigue. Age, gender, education and marital status did not affect the prevalence of fatigue among the subjects.

Conclusions
In view of the correlations found between the incidence of chronic fatigue and its components and the intensity of stress, as well as selected coping strategies and emotion control, remedial measures should be introduced to provide support in the difficult situations faced by nursing staff.