PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY AMONG ADULT PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE SURGERY

Aleena Binu*, T. R. Manjula, Aleena Thomas, Berjin B. J. and Dhivagar M.

ABSTRACT

Background/Aim: Major life changes are among factors that cause anxiety, and one of these changes is surgery. Hospitalization, regardless ofdisease, is known to provoke anxiety in the patient admitted for surgery. Preoperative anxiety refers to the feelings of fear, worry, and stress experienced by patients before undergoing surgery. This anxiety is considered to be an important factor that needs to be addressed for severalreasons. Preoperative anxiety can have a negative impact on patient outcomes. Studies have shown that high levels of anxiety before surgery are associated with increased pain perception, longer postoperative recovery, higher rates of complications, and prolonged hospital stays. Addressing and reducing preoperative anxiety can potentially improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and its predictors among adult patientsscheduled for elective surgery. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross sectional survey research design was used. 100 adult patients were selected using convenient sampling technique. A validated studyquestionnaire was used to collect data on socio- demographic variables andlevel of anxiety. The collected data was analyzed and interpreted. The datawas analyzed using statistical instruments. Results: The results highlights out of 100 participants 45% of patients is having moderate of anxiety.35% of adult having severe level of anxiety and 20% having mild level of anxiety. There is no significant association between anxiety and demographic variables like age, sex, marital status, religion, area of residence, educational status, surgery, h/o of previous surgery and year of previous surgery. Conclusion: Patients need to be assessed regularly for anxiety during the preoperative visit and appropriate anxiety reduction methods should be introduced. Nurses should provide proper explanation to patientswhenever they need information during their hospital stay.

Keywords: Pre operative anxiety, Elective surgery, Adult patients.