ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION LEVELS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS DUE TO COVID-19 INFECTION

Abstract

Objectives: Patients who are hospitalized for Covid-19 are treated in single rooms and without an attendant to prevent contamination. Both health and support personnel serving these patients come into contact with patients with personal protective equipment. We planned to evaluate the impact of these changing conditions on individuals' psychology. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 300 patients (115 females, 185 males) hospitalized in Chest Diseases, Infectious Diseases, and Internal Diseases services. The data were collected using the personal information form prepared by the researcher and containing the descriptive characteristics of the patients and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Results: The median age of the patient group was 42 (min-max: 18-90), 61.70% of the patients were male, 46,30% were primary education graduates, 78.30% were married and 24% were housewives, 10.30% were retired. Among all cases, there were 8.30% (n: 25) clinically serious depression and 24% (n: 72) mild depression, and 7.70% (n: 23) clinically serious anxiety and 16% (n: 48) mild anxiety. There was a statistically significant difference when compared between two genders according to the severity of HAD-anxiety score, and anxiety scores were higher in women (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed that anxiety and depression levels increased in individuals hospitalized for Covid-19. The pandemic is expected to continue in the upcoming period. For this reason, it is thought that it is necessary to plan the interventions of patients to reduce their anxiety and depression levels and to create the necessary support programs.