The relationship between COVID-19 fear and anxiety with the quality of life of students in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

2 Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj, Sanandaj, Iran

3 Lab Assistant Researcher, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

4 Student research committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

5 Department of Mathematics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

6 Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to mental disorders and a negative impact on people's quality of life. Due to the closure of universities and the shift to virtual classes, students experienced significant fear and anxiety.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fear and anxiety and students' quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive correlational study included 304 students in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, in February and March 2021. Participants were selected using convenience sampling, and data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19), the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and the COVID-19-Impact on Quality of Life (COV19-QOL) scale.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.61 ± 3.53 years. Students had high levels of fear and moderate anxiety towards COVID-19, and this pandemic had a moderate impact on their quality of life. The mean score of all variables was significantly higher in girls than in boys. There was a significant relationship between quality of life and fear and anxiety, such that an increase of 1 point in quality of life was associated with a 0.27- and 0.35-point decrease in fear and anxiety, respectively.
Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between fear and anxiety and students' quality of life. Providing training classes on anxiety and fear control can improve their quality of life.

Keywords


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