Table 1 Possible causes of anxiety among patients attending surgical wards of JUSTH

Fear of death

91

82.7

56.3 ± 8.2

Fear of unknown

58

52.7

57.8 ± 8.9

Financial loss due to hospitalization

47

42.7

54.7 ± 8.6

Results of operation

46

41.8

55.7 ± 7.9

Needing blood transfusion

43

39.1

57.4 ± 9.2

Concern about family

43

39.1

56.9 ± 6.9

Postoperative pain

43

39.1

55.7 ± 9.2

Change of environment

41

37.3

55.2 ± 7.7

Long waiting time for operation

40

36.4

54.9 ± 9.0

Unexpected events

39

35.5

55.2 ± 9.2

Being patient and coming to hospital

35

31.8

51.8 ± 8.9

Dependency

34

30.9

55.1 ± 8.7

Fear of physical disability

33

30

53.9 ± 8.7

Fear of complications

31

28.2

53.3. ± 7.3

Cancellations

31

28.2

54.6 ± 9.0

Alteration in body image

26

23.6

56.7 ± 7.5

Possible unknown diagnostic results

24

21.8

53.2 ± 6.6

Lack of information

18

16.4

51.3 ± 8.1

Nil per mouth

16

14.5

55.6 ± 1.0

Harm from doctor or nurse mistake

16

14.5

57.7 ± 8.8

Terminology and language used

16

14.5

53.8 ± 1.2

Sickness and vomiting

15

13.6

53.7 ± 8.3

Fear of not knowing what occurs while unconscious during anesthesia

14

12.7

52.8 ± 9.2

Concern about fellow patient

13

11.8

55.6 ± 9.2

Absence from work

13

11.8

55.7 ± 9.8

Inaccurate information

12

10.9

55.5 ± 8.9

Short waiting time for operation

10

9.1

56.1 ± 7.4

Getting stuck of needle

9

8.2

54.3 ± 1.2

Lack of knowledge of ward

9

8.2

51.3 ± 8.1

Not awakening from anesthesia

8

7.3

55 ± 1.2

Information from previous negative hospital experiences

8

7.3

55 ± 1.2

Familiarity with facilities

7

6.4

58 ± 7.1

Lack of recognition of staff

5

4.5

55.6 ± 6.7

Awareness during surgery

4

3.6

63.3 ± 2.5