Abstract:
Introduction: Hospitalization and surgery are critical negative life events that lead to
significant experience of preoperative anxiety in patients, which is a common
component of surgical experience that increases post-operative complication. However,
there is a paucity of studies on preoperative anxiety and its associated factors among
patients waiting elective surgery.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and its associated
factors of preoperative anxiety among patients waiting surgery in St. Luke’s Catholic
hospital, Woliso, Ethiopia, 2018.
Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13 to
May 12, 2018 using systematic random technique in St. Luke’s Catholic Hospital and
Nursing College. From 237 patients scheduled for surgery data collected by structured
interview questionnaires prepared based on pre-operative intrusive thoughts inventory
measurement scale. The data was entered by Epi Info 7 and analyzed by SPSS version
20.0 descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify
predictors. For the variables P < 0.2 at bivariable analysis was entered to multivariable
analysis and Interpretation was made based on the 95% confidence Interval, P < 0.05
and adjusted odds ratio was used to show strength of the association.
Result: A total of 237 study subjects were participated making a response rate of
98.34%. The overall prevalence of high preoperative anxiety was found to be 56.12%.
Study participants female in sex (AOR 3.30,95% CI1.30, 8.34), Orthopaedics surgery
(AOR 4.24,95% CI 1.23, 14.05), Not having information (AOR 2.48,95% CI 1.11,5.56),
postponement of surgery (AOR 5.53,95% CI 1.28,23.91), Not searching support (AOR
4.50,95% CI 1.99, 10.19), Not praying (AOR 2.96,95% CI 1.33, 6.62) and Not music
listening (AOR 3.41,95% CI 1.45,7.98) were associated with preoperative anxiety.
Conclusions: The result of this study showed that preoperative anxiety among patients
waiting elective surgery was found to be high and revealed possible independent
associated factors. Regular preoperative patient assessments, education, minimize
surgery postponed and encourage coping mechanisms of the patient in hospital are
strongly recommended for preoperative anxiety.
Keywords: Preoperative anxiety, Patients waiting surgery, St. Luke’s hospital
