Determination of the relationship between preoperative anxiety level and COVİD-19 fear level of patients

Aim: This study was conducted as a descriptive study to determine the relationship between preoperative anxiety level and COVID-19 fear level in patients who will undergo elective surgery. Materials-Methods: This study was conducted between January 2021 and June 2021, using face-to-face interviews in the preoperative period with 479 patients who will undergo elective surgery in the Cardiovascular Surgery and General Surgery service units of a University Hospital. "Sociodemographic Information Form", "COVID-19 Fear Scale" and "State/Trait Anxiety Scale" were used to collect data. Results: The mean age of the patients participating in the study was 59.15 (±15.72). The mean COVID-19 Fear Scale score was 14.27 (±5.46), the State Anxiety Scale mean score was 31.05 (±7.92), and the Trait Anxiety Scale mean score was 38.69 (±8.81). While no correlation was found between the COVID-19 Fear Scale score and the State Anxiety Scale score, a weak positive correlation was found with the Trait Anxiety Scale score (r=0.107 p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that patients with high trait anxiety levels also had high levels of fear towards COVID-19.