The Effectiveness of a Health Education Intervention to Reduce Anxiety in Quarantined COVID-19 Patients

The Effectiveness of a Health Education Intervention to Reduce Anxiety in Quarantined COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

we aimed to assess the impact of health education on the anxiety level of COVID-19 patients during the isolation period.

This is a randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2021 and June 2021. Patients tested positive for Covid-19 with mild to moderate forms were randomized to Education (n=267) or control (n=269). The education group received a phone health education session on day 1 (D1) following the diagnosis. The three components of the health education intervention were an explanation of the coronavirus disease, what to do in the event of complications, and the recommended preventive measures. The two groups received a telephone evaluation of their Hospital Anxiety and Depression scores on (D1) and day seven D7 following the positive diagnosis. The primary outcome was the rate of anxiety reduction in each group at D7 based on a HAD-A score ≥ 8. Secondary outcomes were the rate of anxiety reduction at D7 based on a HAD-A score ≥ 11, the percentage of people complying with isolation and the scores of adherence to preventive measures during the isolation in each group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with Covid-19 after positive PCR or positive antigen rapid test, over 18 years of age, who did not require hospitalization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients not reachable at the first day phone call of the diagnosis and patients unable to answer the telephone questionnaire due to their cognitive state.