Preoperative Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Adult Elective Surgery Patients in North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia

Background: Higher levels of preoperative anxiety may be associated with life-threatening postoperative complications and increase the risk of postoperative mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of high level of preoperative anxiety among elective surgical patients in North Wollo Zone, Northeast, Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 211 patients scheduled for surgery. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. The data were collected using the state-trait anxiety inventory scale. Participants who scored STAI scale > 44 were considered as experiencing a high level of preoperative anxiety. Reliability of the questionnaire was assessed (Cronbach’s alpha coficient=0.84). The data were entered using EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Binary logistic regression was computed to determine the predictors of preoperative anxiety. A p-value < 0.05 at 95% Cl was considered as significant predictors of high-level preoperative anxiety. Results: A total of 211 participants were involved in this study with a response rate of 97.7%. The prevalence of high level of preoperative anxiety among elective surgical patients scheduled for surgery was 102 (48.3%). Factors such as fear of death (AOR=6.72, CI=(2.56, 17.66)), fear of unexplained origin (AOR=4.98, 95% (CI: 1.91, 12.97)) and fear of postoperative pain (AOR=4.39 95% (CI=2.17, 8.88)) were significant predictors of preoperative anxiety. Conclusions and Recommendations: The prevalence of high level of preoperative anxiety was high. Fear of death, fear of unknown origin, and fear of postoperative complications were significant predictors of preoperative anxiety. The preoperative nursing care focused on appropriate anxiety-reducing methods such as preoperative education, family-centered preparation for surgery, providing psychological care and medication can be required for surgical patients who develop high levels of preoperative anxiety. Keywords: anxiety, preoperative anxiety, surgery, Ethiopia