The Fear of COVID-19 Infection in Older People

• Published in: Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology 2022-05, Vol.35 (3), p.460-466
• Main Authors: Gokseven, Yagmur, Ozturk, Guzin Zeren, Karadeniz, Ecem, Sarı, Ecem, Tas, Beray Gelmez, Ozdemir, Hacı Mustafa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fear; Female; Humans; Male; Pandemics; Sleep Wake Disorders - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0891-9887; 1552-5708
• DOI: 10.1177/08919887211002651

Objective: To determine the levels of COVID-19-related fear and to investigate fear-associated factors among older people. Methods: This study was conducted with patients aged 65 years and older from the Family Medicine Clinic of Health Sciences University Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Hospital over a 1-month period. A telephone survey was administered to evaluate patients’ sociodemographic data and knowledge level on the COVID-19 pandemic and the degree of its impact. The fear levels of participants were determined using the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19 S). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0. A p value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The study included 315 participants: 178 were female and 137 were male. The mean age was 71.5 ± 5.6 (min: 65, max: 94) years, and 26 participants were living alone. Moreover, 47.6% participants considered they had sufficient information about the COVID-19 outbreak, and 61.6% received information about the pandemic from television and 22.2% from their inner circle. While 11.7% participants considered they would require psychological support after the COVID-19 pandemic, 30.8% had sleep disorders for the last month. The mean FCV-19 S score was 16.0 ± 6.4; the FCV-19 S scores were statistically higher in participants who were women, living alone, had partial information about the COVID-19 pandemic, had sleep disorders for the last month, and were in requirement of psychological support after the pandemic. Conclusion: It is necessary to screen the older people for the COVID-19-related fear and accompanying psychological disorders and to develop appropriate intervention programs for individuals at risk.