Frequency and Factors Associated with Preoperative Anxiety Specific to Anesthesia in Patients awaiting Surgery in Kinshasa

Background: Preoperative anxiety related to anesthesia can affect patients' psychological preparation and perioperative care. Data regarding anesthesia-specific anxiety in Kinshasa remain limited. This study assessed its frequency and associated factors in adult surgical patients. Methods: A prospective, analytical, multicenter study was conducted in four hospitals in Kinshasa between May 2025 and August 2026. A total of 443 adult patients were consecutively recruited. Anxiety and information needs related to anesthesia were assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). Associated factors were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Results: Preoperative anxiety specific to anesthesia was identified in 212 patients (48%). A university education level was associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety (aOR = 18.5; 95% CI: 8.5 to 40.2), while prior experience with anesthesia (aOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.8) and detailed explanations received during the pre-anesthetic consultation (aOR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.09) were associated with a lower likelihood. Moderate information needs were associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety (aOR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.2). Conclusion: Preoperative anxiety specific to anesthesia affected nearly half of the patients studied. Educational level, anesthetic history, pre-anesthetic detailed explanations, and information needs were independently associated with anxiety. Personalized preoperative communication and a systematic assessment of information needs could improve patient preparation for anesthesia.