Appetite loss, death anxiety and medical coping modes in COVID‐19 patients: a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Aim This study aims to explore the current level and associated factors of appetite and death anxiety amongst COVID‐19 patients and also to identify correlation between the two variables. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods Demographic and characteristic questionnaires, templer death anxiety scale, council on nutrition of appetite questionnaire and medical coping modes questionnaire were utilized. Results The average scores of appetite and death anxiety were 19.46 (4.09) and 6.58, (3.21) respectively. 76 patients (100%) suffered from appetite loss, whilst 27 (35.50%) patients suffered from severe death anxiety. Marital status, COVID‐19 disease condition ranks, educational level and death anxiety were explained 55.20% of the total variance in the appetite regression model (F = 31.83, p < .001), whilst the gender, avoidance coping strategy and appetite level were explained 49.80% of the total variance in death anxiety model (F = 17.80, p < .001). A moderate negative correlation between appetite and death anxiety was also confirmed (r=−.55, p < .001).

Keywords

• appetite level
• associated factors
• COVID‐19
• death anxiety
• medical coping modes