Preoperative Anxiety and its Associated Factors among Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery in Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Background: Anxiety before surgery is an influential element in the pre-operative care and postoperative outcome of patients. Identifying the level of pre-operative anxiety and possible factors will enable health professionals to provide appropriate psychological care aimed at preventing potential post-operative complications.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of pre-operative anxiety and associated factors among adult patients undergoing elective surgery in two tertiary hospitals that provide surgical services in Southeast Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. Ninety-eight adults booked for surgery in selected hospitals were assessed using a standardized (State and trait anxiety inventory) instrument to obtain information on their anxiety level and contributing factors.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety in the study was 55%. Financial loss due to hospitalization (52%), fear of postoperative pain (50%), and fear of complications (51%) were the major factors that precipitated anxiety among respondents. Patients with acute cases (36.1%) and no previous experience with general anesthesia (79%) were associated with higher levels of anxiety than their counterparts. Provision of preoperative counseling was insignificant in influencing the level of anxiety (P > 0.05). The main strategies used by patients were praying and meditating.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing elective surgery experience pre-operative anxiety. Inadequate information during the preoperative period was implicated as a factor that contributed to high anxiety levels among those who received preoperative counseling. Therefore, improving preoperative counseling sessions and ensuring the availability of social support is likely to reduce the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and facilitate postoperative recovery.