The Relationship Between Preoperative COVID-19 Fear and Anxiety Level Undergoing Elective Surgery Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between patients' preoperative Coronavirus Disease 2019 fear level and anxiety level. DESIGN: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. METHODS: The study was carried out with 479 patients who underwent elective surgery at a university hospital between January and June 2021. The 'Sociodemographic and Medical Characteristics Information Form', 'Coronavirus Disease 2019 Fear Scale' and 'State/Trait Anxiety Scale' were used. Descriptive methods, independent samples t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used in data analysis. RESULTS: The mean fear scale score was 14.27 ± 5.46, the mean State Anxiety Scale score was 31.05 ± 7.92, and the mean Trait Anxiety Scale score was 38.69 ± 8.81. Coronavirus Disease 2019 fear was found to be higher in single individuals, those with poor sleep and those without caregiving responsibilities. State anxiety was found to be lower in those who believed they had sufficient information about the surgery. A very weak positive correlation was found between fear and trait anxiety. A strong positive correlation was found between patients' state anxiety and trait anxiety. CONCLUSION: Preoperative anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to be more closely associated with patients' underlying anxiety predisposition than with COVID-19-related fear. Structured preoperative education may contribute to reducing situational anxiety. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Routine assessment of both state and trait anxiety, together with individualized preoperative education and psychosocial support, may improve patients' psychological preparedness for surgery. Particular attention should be given to patients with elevated trait anxiety, as they may benefit from targeted nursing interventions aimed at reducing preoperative distress and enhancing perioperative care. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement for reporting cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The findings of this study highlight the importance of routinely assessing psychosocial factors, such as anxiety, sleep quality and social support, during preoperative care. Structured patient education and individualized psychosocial support provided by nurses may reduce patients' perceived uncertainty, improve psychological adaptation to surgery and enhance perioperative outcomes.