The world is currently subjected to the worst health crisis documented in modern history: an epidemic led by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At the epicenter of this crisis, healthcare professionals continue working to safeguard our well-being. To the regular high levels of stress, COVID-19 adds even more so to healthcare professionals in particular, depending on their area, specialty, and type of work. Here we investigated what are the tendencies or areas most affected. Through an adaptation of the original COVID-stress scales, we developed a remote, fast test designed for healthcare professionals in the northeastern part of Mexico, an important part of the country with economic and cultural ties to the United States. Our results showed four key correlations as highly dependent: work area-xenophobia (p < 0.045), work with COVID patients-traumatic stress (p < 0.001), total number of COVID patients per day-traumatic stress (p < 0.027), and total number of COVID patients-compulsive checking and reassurance. Overall, we concluded that normal levels of stress have increased (mild-moderate). Additionally, we determine that the fear of being an asymptomatic patient (potential to spread without knowing) continues being a concern.
Keywords: COVID-19 Mexico; COVID-19 stress scales; stress in healthcare professionals.