Covid-19 and strategies to reduce anxiety in nursing: Scoping review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: to map the production of knowledge on the strategies used for the management of anxiety, in Nursing professionals, during the fight against COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Midlle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Method: a scoping review, followed by meta-analysis, conducted in the BVS, EMBASE, PUBMED, CINAHL, PsycINFo, SCOPUS and Web of Science information sources. The review protocol is registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under number under number CRD42020192918. Searches in electronic databases were carried out from 22 to 27 July 2020The data were analyzed and synthesized in a narrative fashion. Results: a total of 31 studies were included in the review; of these, 12 were included in the meta-analysis. The Nursing professionals presented higher anxiety indexes than the other health professionals. The following stood out in the interventions for the management of anxiety: emotional support, social support, educational campaign, implementation of safety policies, and adoption of a positive coping style. Conclusion: the evidence suggests that a considerable proportion of Nursing professionals experienced high anxiety levels, which interfered with COVID-19 prevention and control. Therefore, it becomes necessary to establish intervention protocols to reduce anxiety, with clear and objective language, favoring emotional support, positive coping techniques, and a welcoming work environment, in addition to implementing policies that ensure protective measures against COVID-19.