Lakew Asmare ^1* Adane Misganaw ² Mignot Hailu ³ Gashachew Bayleyegn ⁴ Mekidem Aderaw ⁵ Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw ⁶ Tihtina Alemu ⁷

• ¹ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
• ² Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia
• ³ Department of Nursing, School of Health Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ⁴ Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ⁵ College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
• ⁶ Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Bahir dare, Ethiopia
• ⁷ Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Anxiety is a commonly reported mental health disorder that significantly contributes to the global burden of disease. However, proper counseling, problem-solving strategies, and promotion of healthy lifestyle practices have a positive effect on reducing Nurse anxiety, there is limited evidence in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify factors affecting Nurse anxiety in Northwest Ethiopia's comprehensive specialized hospitals.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 746 study participants from April 14 to May 20, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used. An intervieweradministered questionnaire was used. Data was entered into Epi Data version 4.6.0, and exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. In binary logistic regression, variables with a p-value less than 0.25 were considered as candidates for multivariable logistic regression. An association was declared at a p-value less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.Result: In this study, the prevalence of anxiety was 33.9%. Thus, being female (AOR =1.53, 95% CI = 1.08, 2.22), working in an emergency department (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI = 1.83, 7.28), working night duty shifts (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI = 2.19, 4.46), having conflict with coworkers (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.51), and having poor social support (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.23,3.69) were variables significantly associated with anxiety.This study revealed that one-third of nurses experienced anxiety, which is a critical indicator of mental health within this population. Important factors associated with anxiety include being female, working in the emergency department, having a conflict with coworkers, having poor social support, and working night duty shifts were found to be significantly associated with anxiety. These findings show the need for the implementation of counseling services and the adaptation of effective coping strategies for nurses working at comprehensive specialized hospitals. Understanding the impact of anxiety on nurses is important to design interventions aimed at improving their mental health and job satisfaction.