Preoperative Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery at the Public Hospitals in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Preoperative anxiety affects many patients, impacting both their readiness for surgery and their postoperative recovery. A multi‐center study on preoperative anxiety is limited to the study area. Understanding patients' informational needs and other associated factors is crucial for developing effective strategies and enhancing patient outcomes. This research aims to assess the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and associated factors among adult patients undergoing elective surgery in public hospitals of Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023. Methods This multi‐center hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from September 1 to October 30, 2023. A systematic random sampling was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which included APAIS AND Oslo‐3 Scales, on the day before surgery, entered, and analyzed using EpiData version 4.6. and SPSS version 26. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were performed, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results A total of 390 patients participated in the study, with a response rate of 95.8%. The prevalence of preoperative anxiety was 58.2% (95% CI: 53.1%–63.1%). Preoperative anxiety was significantly associated with fear of death (Adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 5.21, 95% CI: 2.21–12.25), fear of anesthesia (AOR = 4.82, 95% CI: 2.12–10.93), concern about not recovering from anesthesia or illness (AOR = 3.00, 95% CI: 1.27–7.56), unaware of the planned surgery (AOR = 4.79, 95% CI: 2.01–11.43), Not knowing the type of anesthesia (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.71–8.37), having history of surgery (AOR = 2.48, 95%CI: 1.10‐5.60), and poor social support (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.13–6.51). Conclusions and Recommendations In this study, nearly one‐fifth of the patients (58.2%) experienced preoperative anxiety. The findings highlight the need for all surgical patients to visit a preoperative clinic where they can receive adequate information about their procedure, anesthesia, and overall condition. Strengthening social support systems and ensuring timely evaluation and management of preoperative anxiety are essential to improving patient outcomes.