RHU Nurses’ Coping Mechanisms during COVID-19 Outbreak

 
ABSTRACT
Legarde, Althea Dayne T.
Mandaue City Science High School, Senior High Department, Philippines
Email: legardealtheadayne@gmail.com

Covid-19 made a huge impact, testing the efficiency of the health care systems of each country.
It infected not less than 1.5 million people around the globe and it is still spreading fast. The
Philippines belong to third world countries struggling its way as the pandemic aggravates. The
main problem in this study is to identify the coping mechanisms done by RHU nurses during this
pandemic. The researcher used descriptive qualitative and quantitative research design in this
study. The participants in this study are 10 RHU nurses working in the health clinic located in
Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu. The link for the online questionnaire was shared to the official group
chat of the nurses. The questionnaire was based on “Healthcare Workers Emotions, Perceived
Stressors and Coping Strategies During a MERS-CoV Outbreak,” (2016) which consists of
nurses’ socio-demographics, three qualitative questions that determine the general stressors of
the nurses, and ten quantitative questions that were modified to fit the current situation. Based on
the collected data, the respondents are mostly female and are unmarried. Covid-19 restrictions
are the major stressors of these nurses. The fear of getting the virus affected their duty as public
health providers. It also prolongs their work and disturbs their sense of focus. They overcome
these struggles through following the safety protocol, meditation, and health teaching. They cope
up by following strict health protocols, reading and searching about the virus, using full
protective gear, and communicating with oneself, family and friends. As far as the study is
concerned, the general stressors, and coping strategies of these nurses are interrelated with each
other. The main sentiments centered upon personal safety and family, strict implementation of
health protocols in the workplace with proper safety gear and equipment, having a time to relax
and communicate with family and friends, and do activities to relieve stress. 

Key words: RHU Nurses, Coping Mechanism, Pandemic, Stressors

Rationale
Covid-19 made a huge impact, testing the efficiency of the health care systems of each country.
It infected not less than 1.5 million people around the globe and it is still spreading fast.

The Philippines belong to third world countries struggling its way as the pandemic aggravates.
“COVID-19 has put the Philippines into recession,” (Ramon, 2020). The economy worsened and
the citizens are struggling to survive. Small government health units are having a difficult time
due to its lacking facilities and manpower.

The researcher saw the need of checking these RHU nurses who work despite the risk they are
facing. In this study, the researcher aims to identify the coping mechanisms done by RHU nurses
during this pandemic.
 Statement of the Problem
This study determines the coping mechanisms done by Oslob RHU nurses during the
COVID-19 pandemic.

         Objectives
The researcher aims to identify how Oslob RHU nurses are able to cope up during this
pandemic.
Specifically, it answers the following question:
1. What are the COVID-19 stressors that impact the respondents the most?
2. How are these stressors approached?
3. What are the personal coping strategies used?

Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the following:
People and Community. This study will give knowledge to people about the
reality faced by nurses as they work in the frontlines.
Government. This study can be used as bases on how the government can
improve their support to the frontliners.
Future Researchers. This study can be used as reference for future study. It can
be for pandemic related research studies.
 
         Scopes and Limitations
This study mainly focused on the coping mechanisms of RHU nurses during the COVID-
19 outbreak. Due to Covid-19, the study, the actual procedure, and the research works
were held in the researcher’s place, Lagunde, Oslob, Cebu. The survey was done using
google forms to ensure the safety and the social distancing protocols with a duration of
one week. The subject of this study is the coping mechanisms of RHU nurses.
 
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The researcher used descriptive qualitative and quantitative research design in this study. It
utilizes a phenomenological approach in which the data collected was based on the experiences
of the respondents.

Procedure
The link for the online questionnaire is shared to the official group chat of the nurses with the
approval of the assigned doctor and the group chat admin.
         Participants
The participants in this study are 10 RHU nurses working in the health clinic located in
Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu.
         Instrument
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 The online survey questionnaire that was used is based on “Healthcare Workers
Emotions, Perceived Stressors and Coping Strategies During a MERS-CoV Outbreak,”
(2016). It consists of socio-demographics, three qualitative questions that determine the
general stressors of the nurses and ten quantitative questions that were modified to fit the
current situation.
                     Questionnaire Section
                     The online questionnaires used, consists of the following parts:
Part I: Brief introduction on the background, objective, voluntary nature of
participation, and declarations of anonymity and confidentiality.
Part II: Socio-demographic characteristics and occupational history: Age, sex,
marital state, and clinical experience.
Part III: Qualitative questions of general stressors faced by RHU nurses. It is
composed of three questions that cover unspecified stressors, impact of these
stresses, and their approach to these stressors.
Part IV: Quantitative questions of different coping mechanisms derived from
“Healthcare Workers Emotions, Perceived Stressors and Coping Strategies
During a MERS-CoV Outbreak,” (2016).
 
Interpretation of Data
         The data will be analyzed using descriptive analysis. The varying levels of coping
mechanisms were described as mean and standard deviation.
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1. RHU Nurses Socio-Demographics
Socio-Demographics
Age, mean (SD) 317 (4.196)
Sex, n (%)
Female 8 80%
Male 2 20%
Marital Status, n (%)
Married 3 30%
Unmarried 7 70%
Clinical Experience, mean (SD) 5.8 (1.9391)

I. Descriptive Results for RHU Nurses Socio-Demographics.

From the table above, the respondents are mostly female and are unmarried.

Table 2. Qualitative Questions of General Stressors of RHU Nurses

General Stressors n (%)
1. What are the things that makes you stressed?
Covid-19 Restrictions 4 (40%)

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 Uncooperative Patients 3 (30%)
Heavy workload 3 (30%)
2. How does these stressors affect your performance in your work?
Having a higher chance of getting Covid-19 4 (40%)
Prolongs workload 3 (30%)
Confused on what to do next 3 (30%)
3. What are some effective ways that helps you overcome these
struggles? 5 (50%)
Following the safety protocols 1 (10%)
Relax and go out 2 (20%)
Meditate 2 (20%)
Health teaching

II. Descriptive Results for Qualitative Questions of General Stressors of RHU

Nurses.
The table shows the different general stressors, its impact, and how the RHU nurses
overcome it. Covid-19 restrictions are the major stressors of these nurses. With the
fear of getting infected, it affected their duty as the public health providers. It also
prolongs their work and disturbs their sense of focus. They overcome these struggles
through following the safety protocol, meditation, and health teaching.

Table 3. Quantitative questions of Different Coping Mechanisms used by RHU Nurses.

Number Coping Mechanisms Mean (SD)
1 Followed the health protocols strictly 3 (0)
2 Read about Covid-19, its prevention and mechanism of 2.9 (0.3)
transmission
3 Using full protective gear even if patient was tested negative. 2.9 (0.3)
4 Distracting oneself at home. 2.7 (0.458)
5 Talking to yourself and motivating to face the Covid-19 outbreak 2.6 (0.49)
with positive attitude
6 Communicating with family and friends 2.6 (0.49)
7 Did relaxation activities, e.g., meditation, sports, exercise etc. 2.5 (0.671)
8 Avoided going out in public places to minimize exposure from 2.4 (0.663)
Covid-19
9 Vented emotions by crying, screaming etc. 2 (1.0)
10 Avoided media news about Covid-19 and related fatalities 1.9 (0.831)

III. Descriptive Results for Quantitative questions of Different Coping Mechanisms

used by RHU Nurses.
The table shows the different coping mechanism strategies used by RHU nurses.
They follow strict health protocols, read and search about the virus, use full protective
gear, and communicate with oneself, family and friends.

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 Conclusion
Covid-19 caused emotional distress among the RHU nurses in Oslob. The general stressors, and
coping strategies of these nurses are interrelated with each other.

The main sentiments centered upon personal safety and family, strict implementation of health
protocols in the workplace with proper safety gear and equipment, having a time to relax and
communicate with family and friends, and do activities to relieve stress.

RECOMMENDATIONS
To further embark this study in the field of medical science and technology, increasing the staff
sample size and involving other medical professions.

CHARTS
A. Qualitative Questions of General Stressors of RHU Nurses.

1. What are the things that makes you stressed?

3; 30%
4; 40%

3; 30%

2. How
Covid-19does these
Restrictions stressors
Uncooperative Patients affect your
Heavy workload
performance in your work?

3; 30%
4; 40%

3. What are some effective ways that helps you

overcome these struggles?
3; 30%

Having a higher chance of getting Covid-19 Prolongs workload

Confused on what to do2;next
20%

5; 50%
2; 20%

5
1; 10%

Following the safety protocols Relax and go out

Meditate Health teaching
 B. Quantitative questions of Different Coping Mechanisms used by RHU Nurses.

Different Coping Mechanisms used by RHU Nurses RAW

3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mean SD

DATA
A. RHU Nurses Socio-Demographics
Clinical Experience
Age Sex Marital Status (years)
35 Female Unmarried 9
29 Female Unmarried 4
26 Female Unmarried 3
31 Female Married 5
32 Male Married 6
41 Female Married 9
35 Female Unmarried 6
32 Male Unmarried 7
28 Female Unmarried 5
28 Female Unmarried 4

B. Qualitative Questions of General Stressors of RHU Nurses.

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 2. How does these stressors affect your
1. What are the performance in your work? How were you 3. What are some effective
things that makes able to reduce its impact to your ways that helps you overcome
you stressed? performance? these struggles?
Should follow health protocols
It affects my work and the people around maintain social distancing and
People who did not by having the chance to have COVID wear face mask all the time to
follow health diseases and give the chance not to be lessen the chance to have
protocols able to perform our daily task. COVID diseases.
restrictions because
of covid sometimes relax and go out somewhere
It prolongs and intensifies my workloads.
I reiterate to them the importance of
following rules, if they do not listen or
Uncooperative follow, a waiver should be signed or else
patients. their request will not be catered. Health teaching.
not going outside prolongs workload relaxing
covid-19 higher risk of getting the virus following health protocols
many things needed
to do at work confusing what to prioritize first meditation and prayer
too much workload delays work, too many to think of relax and breath
Should follow health protocols
maintain social distancing and
wear face mask all the time to
disobedient to the lessen the chance to have
protocols higher risk of getting infected COVID diseases.
Covid-19
restrictions makes me stressed easily meditate
hardheaded patients higher risk of getting Covid-19 Teaching about the body

C. Quantitative questions of Different Coping Mechanisms used by RHU Nurses.

1. Followed the health protocols 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
strictly (e.g., mask, gown, hand
washing etc.)
2. Considered every patient admitted 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3
to the hospital to Covid-19 infection
and using full protective gear even if
patient was tested negative.
3. Read about Covid-19, its 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3

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 prevention and mechanism of
transmission
4. Avoided going out in public places 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 2 3 3
to minimize exposure from Covid-19
5. Did relaxation activities, e.g., 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 1 2 3
meditation, sports, exercise etc.
6. Communicating with family and 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 3
friends
7. Avoided media news about Covid- 3 3 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
19 and related fatalities
8. Vented emotions by crying, 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 3
screaming etc.
9. Tried to be busy at home in 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3
activities that would keep your mind
away
10. Talking to yourself and 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 3
motivating to face the Covid-19
outbreak with positive attitude

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Khalid, I., Khalid, T. J., Qabajah, M. R., Barnard, A. G., & Qushmaq, I. A. (2016).
Healthcare Workers Emotions, Perceived Stressors and Coping Strategies During a MERS-
CoV Outbreak. Retrieved April 3, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851451/
2. Said, R. M., & El-Shafei, D. A. (2021). Occupational stress, job satisfaction, and intent to
leave: nurses working on front lines during COVID-19 pandemic in Zagazig City,
Egypt. Retrieved April 3, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7567651/#CR13
3. French, S. E., Lenton, R., Walters, V., & Eyles, J. (2000). An empirical evaluation of an
expanded Nursing Stress Scale. Retrieve April 5, 2021, from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11227582/
4. Albert, J., Albert, J., Jr, H., Lorenzo, M., Zaidi, S., Yongding, Y., Orvie. (2020 December
30). Were the Philippines' COVID-19 responses sufficient? Retrieved June 06, 2021, from
https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/12/23/were-the-philippines-covid-19-responses-
sufficient/
5. Assiri, A., McGeer, A., Perl, T. M., Price, C. S., Al Rabeeah, A. A., Cummings, D. A.,
Alabdullatif, Z. N., Assad, M., Almulhim, A., Makhdoom, H., Madani, H., Alhakeem, R.,
Al-Tawfiq, J. A., Cotten, M., Watson, S. J., Kellam, P., Zumla, A. I., Memish, Z. A., & KSA
MERS-CoV Investigation Team (2013). Hospital outbreak of Middle East respiratory

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 syndrome coronavirus. The New England journal of medicine, 369(5), 407–416. Retrieved
May 5, 2021, from https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1306742

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The accomplishment of this study had not been possible without the presence of the individuals
to whom the researchers sought motivation and inspiration. To this, the researchers are extending
their gratitude for the overwhelming experience.

To my parents for their unending support and guidance that no matter how questionable our
decisions in life may be, they will always point us in the right direction. Thank you for always
being there when we need you most and for being someone whom we can always depend on.

To the respondents for generously giving their time and effort in answering the online
questionnaire that makes this research a success.

To my friends and classmates for being a great help for being patient of the questions that we
asked to be able to understand the format.

And to our dear Lord for giving me the strength to continue going forward even if we sometimes
feel like giving up. Thank you for the knowledge and patience you have bestowed on us as we
are working with this research.

DOCUMENTATION
Distribution of Questionnaire Link

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Google Form Questionnaire

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Responses

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