LONELINESS AND PERCEIVED STRESS LEVELS OF HYPERTENSION PATIENTS İN COVID-19 PANDEMIA PROCESS

Abstract

Aim: Were are experiencing the effects of Covid-19 pandemic as the whole world. Most people who have chronic illness especially hypertension patients are affected by Covid-19 outbreak. This study aimed to assess the perceived stress and loneliness levels of hypertensive patients during Covid-19 outbreak. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 135 hypertension people using the web-based online survey. Data were collected using the Socio-demographic Question Form, the UCLA-Loneliness Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. Results: 82.2% of the hypertensive patients included in the study feared because of Covid-19. 77.0% had a negative impact on their mental health due to the epidemic, 8.1% had a Covid-19 test for themselves or their relatives, 34.8% need psychological support was determined during the epidemic. A positive and very high correlation was found between UCLA-Loneliness and Perceived Stress. Conclusion: It was found that hypertension patients had high levels of stress and loneliness due to the Covid-19 outbreak. It was determined that as loneliness increases during the pandemic process stress increases and when loneliness affects stress to a high extent.