Association of demographic characteristics with mental anxiety caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in candidate patients for cataract surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing outbreak of COVID-19 disease has challenged global public health and caused a pathological fear of its contracting. The unknown origin of COVID-19, long incubation period, high death rate, rapid transmissions, and the lack of definitive or preventive treatment caused great fear and anxiety among the world population. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between demographic characteristics and mental anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic among candidate patients for cataract surgery. Patients and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study selected 258 candidates for cataract surgery patients referred to Shahid Dastgheib and Khalili hospitals in Shiraz. The data were collected using a demographic and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale questionnaire. Analytical tests were used for data analysis, including Mann-Whitney U, Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, and univariate and multivariate linear regression. Results: Most participants were women with a mean age of 62.8 ± 15.9 years. There was no statistically significant correlation between age, education level, and history of COVID-19 with mental anxiety (P > 0.001). In contrast, gender and job indicated a statistically significant correlation. Housewives and retired people experienced higher levels of mental anxiety (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression explored that amongst all demographic characteristics, only female gender was an independent risk factor for patients’ mental anxiety. Conclusion: Considering the mental health of patients applying for surgery by gender status during the COVID-19 pandemic is very important.