Anxiety among nursing students during the Covid-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess levels of anxiety and ways of coping among nursing students in The School of Nursing, University of Riau during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Method

This study was conducted among 247 students through the web-based cross-sectional survey.

Results

The findings show that more than one in three students 87 (35.3%) had mild to severe anxiety. Many students experienced anxiety when doing activities outside, having no use personal protection equipment (PPE), worrying about being infected if they have a cough, fever, or sore throat. The top three ways of coping to reduce student's anxiety are implemented healthy lifestyle behaviors (46.56%), staying at home and doing activities together with family (44.94%), and doing positive activities (22.67%).

Conclusions

The school should give attention to the mental health of students by providing psychological support to reduce student's anxiety.