A Cross-Sectional Survey of Anxiety Levels of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents during early COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Purpose The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased anxiety among general population. The purpose of this project was to investigate attitudes and anxiety among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) residents during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study. OMS residents were invited electronically to answer a survey. The survey was sent in April and May 2020. Residents enrolled in OMS residency programs accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) were included. Predictor variable was attitudes of OMS residents toward pandemic. The outcome variable was anxiety levels of OMS residents due to pandemic according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-A (HADS-A). Other variables were: demographics, general knowledge regarding pandemic, and attitudes of OMS residents toward pandemic. Statistical analysis consisted of Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression (P Results We received 275 responses. Majority were males (74.5%) in 26-30 age group (52.7%). Residents reported different levels of anxiety (i.e. mild 58.2%, severe 41.8%). Based on multivariable analysis, moderate or severe anxiety was associated with being a female (p= 0.048) and a senior resident (p=0.049). Factors such as potential deployment to other services, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), and unclear disease status of patients contributed to anxiety. Conclusion Our study found that during early COVID-19 pandemic, all residents experienced some anxiety. Senior OMS residents, and female OMS residents experience higher anxiety levels than other residents.