Evaluation of Preoperative Anxiety among Patients Undergoing Elective Ophthalmic Surgeries at KCMC

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the proportions and assess factors associated with pre-operative anxiety among patients undergoing elective eye surgeries at KCMC. Study Design: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Tanzania, between November 2024 and May 2025. Methodology: A total of 220 participants scheduled for ophthalmic surgery were enrolled into the study. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) was used to detect preoperative anxiety along with a data collection sheet for surgical and patient information. The overall prevalence of pre-operative anxiety was determined using a binary variable derived from patients who scored above 10 on the total APAIS score. Bivariate analysis comparing categorized variables and multivariate analysis were performed. Results: The proportion of high preoperative anxiety was 26.4% (95% CI: 20.7–32.4%). Surgery-related anxiety (31.8%; mean score 4.44 ± 2.22) was more prevalent than anesthesia-related anxiety (23.2%; mean score 3.87 ± 2.25). Younger age(P = 0.15), high information desire (P < 0.001), and diagnostic surgical indication(P = 0.001). were independently associated with high preoperative anxiety. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of ophthalmic patients at KCMC experience high preoperative anxiety, predominantly driven by surgery-related concerns. Targeted preoperative counseling and patient-centered information delivery may reduce anxiety levels.