DOI: https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22163958 ORIGINAL ARTICLE 958 P J M H S Vol. 16, No. 03, MAR 2022 Assessment of Depression Disorder among Recovered Nurses from Covid-19 ALAA KADHIM RAHEEM 1 , AYAD MAJID MOUSA 2 1 Academic Bachelor’s nurse, Shomali General Hospital / Babil Health Department / Iraqi Ministry of Health 2 Assistant Prof. Dr. College of Nursing/ University of Baghdad. Email: ayadm@conursing.uobaghdad.edu.iq Corresponded author : Alaa Kadhim Raheem, Email: alaa.kazem1205a@conursing.uobaghdad.edu.iq ABSTRACT Objectives: The present study aims to assess depression disorder among recovered nurses from COVID-19 in Babylon Governorate Hospitals and to find out the relationship between depression disorder and demographic characteristics, which include age, gender, marital status, type of family size, education level, and years of experience in a health setting. Methods: A descriptive correlation design used in the present research established that for a period from October 10th, 2021 to March 20th, 2022. The study used a probability (convenient) samples of 143 nurses who recovered from COVID-19 and were drawn from wards of educational and non-educational hospitals. The instruments of the research are adopted and modified for the purpose of this research. Results: The current study showed that less than three-quarters (102, or 71.3%) of those aged (19–29) years of age of age, and more than two-thirds (94, or 65.7%) were female. Regarding marital status, more than half of the sample of 81 (56.6%) were single, and concerning family size, less than two thirds of 89 (62.2%) were small less than six individuals. In relation to educational level, more than a fifth (58, or 40.6%) were diplomas in nursing. It also revealed that about two thirds (93, or 65%) had had (1–5) years of experience in a health setting. Conclusions: Moderate depressive disorder was more prevalent in recovered nurses from the age group (19–29), specifically females, and they had served in health institutions for 1–5 years. Recommendations: Researchers must invest more in studies to measure a larger population to generalize the results. The Department of Continuing Medical Education must provide psychological support for recovered nurses from COVID-19, especially female nurses. Increased efforts should be made to hold epidemiological training courses on how to deal with transmissible viruses, as well as to understand their dangers and modes of transmission. Key word: depression disorder, recovered nurses and COVID 19. INTRODUCTION The behavior caused by an outbreak of COVID-19 has led to restrictions on life, social isolation, physical distance, and quarantine. This has made everyone feel isolated and increased their depression because they are not allowed to see their friends and cannot perform the daily activities that they used to do before, so COVID-19 has caused several psychological problems such as depression and sleep disturbances, similar to previous pandemics and many psychological consequences 1 Frontline health care workers, especially nurses, were exposed to depression and suicidal ideation. It was also discovered that depression and stress about COVID-19 had at least one negative impact on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping, digestive problems, increased alcohol or drug abuse, and exacerbation of chronic conditions, in comparison to 56.6% of all households before the pandemic. With the rise in suicidal rates, nurses are already at risk of burnout 2 According to a cross-sectional study in the United States, there is a high psychological distress level for nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. After nursing staff struggled with sleep deprivation, tiredness, and multiple psychological disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, they self-reported very poor overall results after working more than 40 hours per week and skipping 30-minute breaks 3 METHODOLOGY Study Design: A descriptive correlation design study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of depression disorders among recovered nurses from COVID-19 in teaching and non- teaching hospitals of the Babylon Governorate starting from October 28th, 2021 to May 15th, 2022 and to find out relationships between depression disorders and their demographic characteristics, which include age, gender, marital status, type of family, education level, years of experience in health settings, duration of work in isolation halls during the COVID-19 pandemic, and previous psychiatric diagnosis for studied samples. Study Instrument: Instruments were constructed through the following: This procedure was supplied with the study instrument, which is composed of two parts: Part1: a list of common items for evaluating demographic data of participants, Part2: a scale of the Psychological Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression disorder among COVID-19 recovered nurses. Ethical Consideration: This is the valuable part of the study, and it was concerned with ethical considerations at the start of the sample collection process on December 14, 2021. The initial approval was acquired from the Ethical Committee for Study by the University of Baghdad's College of Nursing, and approval from the Iraqi Ministry of Health was also obtained to conduct research in its health institutions. Lastly, before gathering data and filling out the questionnaire, informed consent was sought from the nurses to participate in this study. The researcher explains to the subject that their information will be highly confidential and for research purposes only. The type of informed consent was written and filled out. to agree or disagree before the nurse fills out the questionnaire. RESULTS Table 1: Shows that less than three quarters 102 (71.3%) of age were between (19-29) year and more than two third 94 (65.7%) were female. Regarding to Marital status, more than half of sample 81 (56.6%) were single and concerning to type of family less than two third 89 (62.2%) were small (less than six individuals). In relation to educational level, more than fifth 58 (40.6%) were Diploma in nursing. less than two thirds 94 (65.7%) were did not participate in training course for isolated wards and more than half 77 (53.8%) did not work in isolated wards. This table also revealed that about two third 93(65%) having (1-5) years of experience in health setting. Table 1: Descriptive analysis of sample’s demographic data (N =143) Demographical data Frequency Percent Age 19-29 102 71.3 30-39 22 15.4 40-49 11 7.7 50-59 8 5.6 Total 143 100.0 Mean (SD) 28.84 8.402