ONGOING COVID-19 ANXIETY AND STRESS LEVELS IN PATIENTS WHOSE ENDOSCOPY PROCEDURE WAS POSTPONED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC

Authors : Melih Can Gül, Merve Akkuş

Pages : 58-64

Doi:10.54270/atljm.2024.50

View : 145 | Download : 531

Publication Date : 2024-06-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused great fear and stress in both patients and healthy individuals. To investigate attitudes toward and anxieties about and stress levels related to COVID-19 among patients who reappointed elective endoscopy procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopy were included. The independent variables were demographic information, previous COVID-19 history, hospitalization history, and death in the family; the dependent variables were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) score and the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) score. Results: Three-fourths of the participants said that the procedure could spread COVID-19; 56.6% said the equipment was sufficient, three-fourths additional precautions were needed, and information was provided; moreover, the interval between procedures was sufficient, and COVID-19 could be transmitted from materials. According to the FCV-19S, individuals who were at most 65 years old, had a history of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, were university graduates, or were employees were frightened; in addition, in terms of the PSS-10, those who had lost their relatives due to COVID-19 and/or changed their mask often had the most significant worries. There were positive and statistically significant correlations with FCV-19S scores and PSS-10 scores, age and the number of past COVID-19 cases; however, a negative correlation was found with education level. Conclusions: Although the frequency of the pandemic has decreased, according to this study, anxiety and fear related to COVID-19 continue in individuals who re-applied after the elective endoscopy procedure was postponed by hospitals during the pandemic period, and we think that this situation will pave the way for patients to apply to endoscopy units delayed in case of a pandemic again.
Keywords : Anksiyete, Covid-19, Endoskopi, Korku

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