The Follow up of the Anxiety Levels of Elderlies During the 'COVID-19' Pandemic: A Prospective Primary Care Study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 outbreak became the first pandemic caused by coronaviruses. As the epidemic spread rate gradually increased in Turkey, curfews were imposed on individuals aged 65 and over. We thought that both the pandemic and the curfew caused anxiety in the elderly. This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety in the elderly and the follow up of the axiety level during curfew. Other purpose of the study was to determine the factors affecting anxiety. Method: We evaluated older people’s anxiety status with an interval of 15 days and 6 months during the pandemic by using Geriatric anxiety scale. People aged 65 and over among the enrolled population of the FHC were contacted by telephone. Results: The mean scores of the first Geriatric anxiety scale were 1.0 ± 2.4, second score applied at the 15th days was 0.5 ± 2.1, the third score applied at the sixth month was 0.3 ± 1.8. There was a significant difference between the three measurements (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Total anxiety scores of our sample were low and there was a significant difference between the three measurements performed 15th days and sixth month was a decrease in anxiety. Gender, education level, living alone, house type was found related with changes in anxiety.