The Differences of Anxiety Scores in the Pangkalan-I Defense Battalion Warriors, Belawan between the Pandemic Time COVID-19 and the Normal Period Before Pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has caused changes in people's living conditions and has brought harmful psychological effects such as anxiety. The military has an important role as a health service provider in particular and accelerates control in disasters such as COVID-19. Mental health in the rapid adaptation of the military is an important thing in carrying out its duties.

Objective: This study is to determine the adaptability of the Belawan Defense Marine Battalion Soldiers in dealing with situations that have never been faced before.

Methods: This study is a paired numerical comparative analytical study using a retrospective approach. By assessing the difference in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) score and also the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (STAI-T) score during the COVID-19 pandemic and normal conditions before the pandemic, with the study population of Marine Defense Battalion Soldiers Base- I Belawan.

Results: the median of the STAI-S score during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Belawan Defense Base-I Marine Battalion Soldier is 35 with a minimum value of 20 and a maximum value of 55. There is a significant difference between the STAI-S score during the COVID-19 pandemic and normal conditions at Belawan I-Base Defense Marine Battalion Soldiers (p <0.001). There was no significant difference between the STAI-T score between the COVID-19 pandemic and the normal condition of the Belawan I-Base Marine Defense Battalion Soldiers (p = 0.45).

Conclusion: There was a tendency for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to normal conditions in the Belawan I Base Defense Marine Battalion soldier.