The Sense of Burden Factors for Japanese Ward Nurses after COVID-19’s Transition to Class Ⅴ Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Introduction and Purpose: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was treated as a new influenza type 2 infectious disease (Category Ⅱ infectious disease) in Japan until May 2023, after which it became a Category Ⅴ infectious disease. Although previous studies have revealed the burden on nurses during the Category Ⅱ infectious diseases stage, the burden after the transition to Category Ⅴ infectious diseases is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the factors contributing to the sense of burden among Japanese ward nurses after COVID-19 became a Category Ⅴ infectious disease. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between February and April 2024 among nurses in hospital wards in the Kinki region of Japan using network sampling. A total of 740 QR-coded forms were distributed. Thirteen items were set as burden items related to COVID-19 based on previous studies, including staffing shortages, handling of unknown fever, and infection control at mealtime. These items, as well as participants’ basic attributes and personal lives, were investigated using the Likert method and open-ended questions. The association between the basic attributes and the items asking about the sense of burden was analyzed by t-test or χ2 test.　 Results: In total, 111 nurses (15.0%) responded to the survey. Five basic attributes (age, sex, years of nursing experience, position, and presence of COVID-19) and 13 burden-related items were analyzed. There were significant differences in the presence of COVID-19 infection and understaffing, nursing experience, position and handling of unknown fever, age, and mealtime infection prevention measures; however, no significant differences were found for all but four items. Discussion: Significant differences in the burden of COVID-19 may not have been found because it was not influenced by basic attributes. It is possible that other factors, such as hospital- and ward-specific infection control measures, rather than personal factors, play a role in the COVID-19 burden after the Class Ⅴ transition.departmental bulletin pape