DETERMINATION OF ANXIETY STATUS IN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC DISEASE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the anxiety status of women with chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease pandemic. This descriptive study was conducted in February-August 2021 within the internal medicine outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Individual Descriptive Questionnaire and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory forms were used to collect data. The mean state anxiety score of the participants was 46.40±10.46, and the mean trait anxiety score was 49.56±9.33. The trait anxiety mean scores of the participants who have a good relationship with the family and whose health status was not affected during the pandemic was found to lower statistically significant (p<0.05). The trait anxiety mean scores of the participants who have poor economic status was found to higher statistically significant (p<0.05). It was determined that women with chronic diseases had moderate anxiety and were negatively affected by the pandemic process. In line with this information, it comes to the fore that women with chronic diseases need more psychosocial support due to their increased anxiety and they are a group that should be handled with care. It is recommended that more descriptive studies be carried out on this subject.