Fear Related to COVID-19, Mental Health Issues, and Predictors of Insomnia among Female Nursing College Students during the Pandemic

Fear of infection has been sparked by the advent of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Insomnia in college students, especially its correlations and predictions with mental diseases, remains a research concern. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of fear related to COVID-19, depression, anxiety, and insomnia among female nursing college students throughout the pandemic and to determine the predictors of insomnia. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional descriptive study used 145 female nursing college students. Results: Students reported fear related to COVID-19, depression, and anxiety at rates of 79.3%, 30.2%, and 35.2%, respectively. Insomnia disturbed 24.7% of students. Anxiety predicted worsening insomnia in the student (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, p < 0.001). Fear related to COVID-19 was also a predictor (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI: 1.07-1.21, p < 0.05). Additionally, when depression severity declined, the chance of insomnia improved (AOR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.85-0.91, p < 0.001). Insomnia was more common in chronically unwell students (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.01-2.24, p < 0.05). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students' mental health should be monitored, and all essential safeguards should be taken, including resource allocation, awareness raising efforts, and the building of a mental health counseling facility.