The Economic and Psychosocial Burden of the Covid-19 Pandemic among Paramedic Candidates

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate economic burdens and the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on paramedic candidates in Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on paramedic candidates in Turkey from January to May 2021. Students studying in the paramedic program in Turkey were included in the study. A self structured questionnaire was developed. Relatives leaving work, state support status, purchasing power for basic food needs evaluated the economic and psychosocial burden of the participants with the variables. The researchers developed a data collection tool consisting of three parts based on the current literature. The first part evaluated descriptive characteristics , the second part the economic effects of COVID-19, and the third part the psychosocial burden of COVID-19. Results: Of 1327 candidates, the average age was 20.41±2.08 years. There were 963 (72.6%) females and 364 (27.4%) males. During the pandemic, 933 (70%) and 784 (59.1%) felt responsible for grocery shopping for relatives and neighbors aged ≥65 years. Moreover, 1099 (82.8%) of the participants left their homes as rarely as possible;784 (59.1%) were unhappy with staying at home all the time;623 (46.9%) became more interested in religion, spirituality, and philosophy during the pandemic;473 (35.6%) of the participants' income did not meet their expenses, and 696 (52.4%) indicated that their academic performance had deteriorated. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the behaviors, lifestyles, habits, academic performance, and therefore the lives of the paramedic candidates due to additional burdens. © 2022 Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Midwives Association.