Background Taking care of patients with Covid-19 is regarded as a challenging task for family caregivers. Hence, a Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM) should help them achieve greater psychological strength throughout the home healthcare process. Methods This study is a randomized clinical trial with two groups; besides, pre-test and post-test designs were conducted based on the CONSORT checklist from April to July 2020, in Iran. Seventy family caregivers were randomly assigned to FCEM (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. Then, four stages of FCEM in four online sessions were provided to the participants of the intervention group via WhatsApp messenger. The procedure started at the patient's discharge and continued for two weeks. The demographic information questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were employed before and five days after the FCEM sessions to gather the required data. Results The sample was made up of 55.8% women and 44.2% men caregivers, with a mean age of 42.5 years. The results demonstrated a substantial difference in the average score of stress (p = 0.023), anxiety (p = 0.003), and depression (p = 0.012). Conclusions The combination of a face-to-face orientation session and online methods of FCEM is likely to lower stress, anxiety, and depression in family caregivers, which can be contributed to the practicability, simplicity, and effectiveness of this home health intervention. Trial registration This study (no. IRCT20180429039463N2) was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on 10/04/2020.

Iran is the country in Western Asia most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. A survey was conducted among the general public in Iran aimed at investigating psychobehavioural issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak, namely (a) barriers to preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection; (b) negative emotions towards SARS-CoV-2 infection; and (c) anxiety levels among the general public in Iran. A cross-sectional, web-based survey using an online questionnaire was carried out between 16 March and 1 April 2020. The six-item version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) was used to assess anxiety levels. A total of 1,789 complete responses were received. Nearly 60% reported having difficulty in wearing a face mask to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the total prevention barrier score was 35.8 (SD ± 7.1; range 18-68) out of a possible score of 72. Male respondents [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.51] and respondents who perceived their health status as poor/fair (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.31-1.82) were predictors of high prevention barriers. Negative emotions such as fear (74.6%) followed by depression (43.4%) and stigma (23.0%) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported. Respondents who perceived their health as poor/fair (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.57-3.04) reported a higher likelihood of having higher negative emotions. Findings on anxiety level revealed 68.0% (95% CI 65.8-70.1

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Background: Taking care of patients with Covid-19 is regarded as a challenging task for family caregivers. A family-centered empowerment model (FCEM) should help them achieve greater psychological strength in the care process.Methods: Seventy caregivers were randomized to FCEM (n= 35) or control (n= 35). The four-stage of FCEM in four online sessions through WhatsApp was provided to the intervention group from the patient's discharge until 2 weeks later. The demographic information questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were employed both before and five days after the FCEM sessions to gather the necessary data.Results: Caregivers included 55.8% women and 44.2% men, with a mean age of 42.5 years. The results demonstrated a substantial difference in the average score of stress (p=0.023), anxiety (p=0.003), and depression (p=0.012).Conclusions: The combination of a face-to-face orientation session and online methods of FCEM is likely to lower stress, anxiety, and depression among caregivers. It can be contributed to the practicability, simplicity, and effectiveness of the intervention.Clinical Trial Registration code: This study (IRCT20180429039463N2) was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial on 10/04/2020