Preoperative anxiety and associated factors among women admitted for elective obstetric and gynecologic surgery in public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety is a major mental health problem during the preoperative period. Admission of women to surgery is stressful, and a high level of anxiety was associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality, poor treatment satisfaction, and bad obstetric outcomes, including long-term cognitive impairment in children. Despite its negative consequences, little is known on this area, particularly in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To assess preoperative anxiety and associated factors among women admitted for elective obstetrics and gynecologic surgeries in public hospitals in Southern Ethiopia, 2022. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 389 women using structured interviewer-administered samples who were selected by systematic random sampling from May 20(th) to June 20(th), 2022. The Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) was used to assess the level of anxiety. Data were collected electronically using the Open Data Kit version 2022.2.3 and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. The strength of the association was declared by using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval, and a statistical significance of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The magnitude of preoperative anxiety was 57.1% (95% CI = 51.4–61.5), and 48.1% of women required an average amount of information. Being a gynecologic patient (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.21, 3.32), having previous anesthesia and surgery (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.10, 3.96), having fear of postoperative pain (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.08, 3.53), having concern for family (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.49, 4.37), having poor social support (AOR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.99, 7.09), and moderate social supports (AOR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.74, 6.17), and having a high information requirement about anesthesia and surgery (AOR = 4.68, 95%CI = 2.16, 10.13) were statistically associated with preoperative anxiety. CONCLUSION: Preoperative anxiety was often high in the region. Associated factors were the type of surgery, previous anesthesia and surgery, fear of postoperative pain, fear for family, social support, and a high information need. So the national and regional health bureau should develop guidelines and implement strategies to reduce women preoperative anxiety as part of midwifery care. The women should be assessed regularly during the preoperative visits; and appropriate anxiety reduction and information regarding surgery, and anesthesia should be provided.