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

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- ß) =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.

Effects of Information about COVID-19 on Social Media on Students

Aim: This study aimed to determine how students had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and effects of information about it that was shared via social media. Methods: This descriptive and qualitative study was conducted with 126 students. A questionnaire was prepared, and data were collected via computers. Results: It was found that 29.4% of the students were negatively affected by TV programs about Covid-19 virus, 31.0% were negatively affected by Facebook and Instagram, and 9.5% were negatively affected by Twitter. Information about Covid-19 from TV, Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter caused the students experience feelings such as worry, anxiety, fear and uncertainty. It was determined that the students who were negatively affected by social media were not negatively affected by the information and hygiene-related warnings of health professionals (p<0.05). Those who were negatively affected by TV programs were also negatively affected by Facebook and Instagram (p<0.05). It was also found that those who were negatively affected by Facebook and Instagram were also negatively affected by Twitter (p<0.05). Conclusion: Covid-19 pandemic is an ongoing health problem. Social media content concerning it may lead to an increase in psychological problems.