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Patient Characteristics, Knowledge of the COVID-19 Disease, Risk Behaviour and Mental State in Patients Visiting an Emergency Room with COVID-19 Symptoms in the Netherlands

10 Pages Posted: 14 Oct 2020

See all articles by J.P.M van der Valk

J.P.M van der Valk

Independent

F.W.J. Heijboer

Jiangsu University - Department of Pulmonary Medicine

H. van Middendorp

Independent

A.W.M. Evers

Leiden University

J.C.C.M. in 't Veen

Independent

More...

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a serious respiratory virus pandemic. Patient characteristics, knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, risk behaviour and mental state will differ between individuals. The primary aim of this study was to investigate these variables in patients visiting an emergency department in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Methods: Consecutive adult patients, visiting the emergency room at the Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were asked to fill out questionnaires on the above-mentioned items on an iPad. The patients were either “COVID-19 suspected” or “COVID-19 not suspected” (control group). 

Findings: This study included a total of 159 patients, 33 (21%) tested positive, 85 (53%) negative and 41 (26%) were COVID-19 not suspected (control group). All patients in this study were generally aware of transmission risks and virulence and adhered to the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Working as a health care professional was correlated to a higher risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection (p-value 0.04). COVID-19 suspected patients and patients with comorbidities had a significantly higher level of anxiety compared to COVID-19 not suspected patients (p-value < 0.001). There is thus no mass hysteria regarding COVID-19The higher the anxiety, the more seriously hygiene measures were followed. 

Interpretation: Working as a health care professional was correlated to a higher risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection. COVID-19 suspected patients and patients with comorbidities were significantly more anxious. Moreover, the higher the degree of fear, the more carefully hygiene measures were observed. Results suggested that special attention should be directed to possible risk groups of health care professionals and patients with comorbidities.

Trial Registration: This study was designed as an observational questionnaire study and registered in the Dutch Trial Register as PAtient’s knowledge and behaviour oN the COVID-19 disease and as DeterMInants of Contamination (PANDEMIC) study (trial number NL8563).

Funding: Not applicable.

Declaration of Interests: There is no conflict of interest.

Ethics Approval Statement: The study was submitted to the medical ethical review board and was considered not subject to the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO; W20.075)

Keywords: COVOD-19 infection, risk behaviour, illness perception, mental state, vital profession, medical institutions, non- pharmaceutical interventions

Suggested Citation

van der Valk, J.P.M and Heijboer, F.W.J. and van Middendorp, H. and Evers, A.W.M. and Veen, J.C.C.M. in 't, Patient Characteristics, Knowledge of the COVID-19 Disease, Risk Behaviour and Mental State in Patients Visiting an Emergency Room with COVID-19 Symptoms in the Netherlands. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3680608 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3680608

F.W.J. Heijboer

Jiangsu University - Department of Pulmonary Medicine

Zhenjiang, 212001
China

H. Van Middendorp

Independent ( email )

A.W.M. Evers

Leiden University ( email )

J.C.C.M. in 't Veen

Independent ( email )

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