Anxiety Level Among Patients Undergoing Ultrasound Examination in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is a feeling of tension associated with a sense of threat of danger when the source is unknown. Anxiety disorders are often associated with common age related medical and chronic conditions such asthma, thyroid disease, coronary artery disease, dementia and sensory loss. Most diagnostic medical imaging has been seen to be associated with some level of anxiety. Aim: The aim was to investigate and compare the anxiety levels of women undergoing ultrasound examination. Methods: A quantitative method with descriptive design was used for the study using closed-ended and few open-ended questionnaires with 100 participants. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical and Packages for Social Sciences Version 20.0 and Microsoft excel. Result: The result showed that there was no difference between the pre and post procedural anxiety in the patient and one of the major causes of anxiety was lack pre-procedural information and fear of the outcomes of the examination being done. Conclusion: It was concluded that the patients feel anxious before and after an ultrasound examination.