The Effect Of Preoperative Education On Patient Anxiety Undergoing General Anesthesia At Tertiary Care Hospital Peshawar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64105/Keywords:
Preoperative Anxiety, General Anesthesia, Education, LRH, STAI, Patient Counseling.Abstract
Preoperative anxiety is a common psychological response in patients undergoing surgery and can significantly affect anesthetic requirements, patient cooperation, and postoperative recovery. Providing preoperative education may help reduce anxiety by improving patient understanding and preparedness.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of structured preoperative education on anxiety levels among patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, from February to May 2025. A total of 132 patients undergoing elective surgeries were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after providing structured information regarding the anesthesia process and planned surgical procedure.
Result: A significant reduction in preoperative anxiety levels was observed following the educational intervention, with statistically meaningful differences (p < 0.05) in pre- and post-education STAI scores. Higher baseline anxiety was noted in female patients and in individuals with no previous surgical exposure.
Conclusion: Structured preoperative education is an effective and simple strategy to reduce anxiety in patients awaiting general anesthesia. Incorporating such programs into routine preoperative care can enhance patient preparedness, cooperation, and overall surgical experience.
