The effect of informing about the disease on the level of anxiety in Covid-19 cases

Buğu Usanma Koban

Keywords: Covid-19, anxiety, stress, information, follow up

Aim:

The Covid-19 pandemic caused serious concern in the public due to the uncertainties about the infection and its treatment. Also the high morbidity and mortality rates reflected in the press have been a factor that increases anxiety, especially for people in quarantine and who do not have psychosocial support. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of informing Covid-19 patients about the disease and following them up during the quarantine process, on their anxiety level.

Method:

Patients between the ages of 18-65 who were followed on home isolation in Tuzla, Istanbul; between June 1 - September 1, 2020 were included. At the time of reporting the test results; their sociodemographic information was recorded. State Anxiety Scale (STAI-I), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were applied. Home visits were arranged and patients were informed about the course of the infection, the isolation and treatment processes. Patients were followed up by phone calls every other day. The same questionnaires were applied to the patients on the 11th day of isolation, and the scores were compared with the first results.

Results:

Of the 98 participants 50 were female (51%), 48 were male (49%). Considering the average score at first conversation and at the end of 10 days; STAI-I scores decreased significantly (p<0.0001). This decrease was higher in women and primary school graduates (p<0.0001 and p=0.010 respectively). The change between PHQ-4 and CAS scores was not statistically significant (p=0.319 and p=0.053, respectively).

Conclusions:

Providing reliable medical support along with accurate and adequate information is effective for coping with Covid-19 anxiety.

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