The Effect of Correct Handwashing and Mask Wearing Training on Cardiac Patients’ COVID-19 Fear and Anxiety

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This study was conducted to determine the effect of correct handwashing and mask-wearing training on COVID-19 fear and generalized anxiety in cardiac patients.

Methods

Randomized controlled experimental study with the formation of intervention and control groups.

Design

The study (triple-blind) was conducted between August 11 and November 17, 2020, in the cardiology clinic of a tertiary hospital in western Turkey. The pre-study sample size was calculated as a minimum 45 at 80% strength, 0.05 significance level, and 0.60 influence quantity for each group. 112 volunteers meeting the criteria were included in the study. The study was completed with a total of 105 individuals in the intervention group (n=50) and control group (n=53). The post-study strength was (1- β) =1. This study was performed in five stages: (1) collection of data, (2) randomization, (3) providing training, (4) contacting the intervention and control groups for follow-up a month later, and (5) collection of the follow-up data.

Findings

The training provided to cardiac patients increased the correct handwashing technique (U=36.00; p<0.001) and the correct mask-wearing technique (U=99.00; p<0.001) and decreased COVID-19 fear (U=883.5; p<0.001) and anxiety (U=751.0; p<0.001) (p <.05).

Conclusion

It can be considered that the training provided to the cardiac patients in preventing COVID-19 may also be suitable for other risk groups.

Clinical Evidence

Practical training at the individual level can be used to train cardiac patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Handwashing
• mask-wearing
• COVID-19 fear
• anxiety
• cardiac patients

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.