PERSPECTIVES AND HEALTH ANXIETIES OF GYNECOLOGICAL AND OBSTETRIC PATIENTS DURING NOVEL COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perspectives and health anxieties of gynecological and obstetric patients during Covid-19 pandemic.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Duration: This study was conducted in emergency and outpatient clinics of Gynecology& Obstetrics Department, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to May 2020.

Methodology: Two hundred and thirty patients participated in this study by answering a pre-designed questionnaire. All the patients were interviewed by the same doctor to minimize bias. Eleven questions were asked exploring their perspectives and anxieties regarding Novel Covid-19 pandemic, its effects on their healthcare and the challenges faced by the healthcare providers. Statistical analysis was done by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-22).

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 33.5 years. 71.3% were pregnant women and 34.8% were gynecological patients. Undergraduate, postgraduate and healthcare professionals were 33.9%, 58.3% and 7.8% respectively. 95.5% of the participants were aware of risk of COVID-19 pandemic and 60.8% knew about its adverse effects. 62.5% visited for regular antenatal. 85.2% had a good opinion about the attitude of the doctors and 93.9% were satisfied with their treatment. 92.1% were not interested in revisiting the hospital again. 80.8% had no apprehensions about the health workers protective gear while 69.5% thought that protective measures were good. 80.8% opined that the hospital environment was hazardous and 78.2% they would not recommend it to their friends.

Conclusion: This study concluded that gynecological and obstetric patients have different opinion about risk, safety measurements, environmental condition, stress and attitude of doctors during COVID-19 pandemic according to age and educational status.