Does a Higher Educational Level Protect against Anxiety and Stress of Candidate Patients for Protective Aggressive Procedures?

Aim of this study was to examine whether higher educational level protects against anxiety and/or stress in Candidate Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. This study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Endoscopy was performed on 95 patients. Hand and foot reflexology massages were performed for 20 minutes prior to endoscopy in intervention groups. Stress and anxiety levels prior to intervention and immediately prior to endoscopy were measured in the three groups. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) was used to collect the required data. Demographic questionnaire was used to assess the level of education. The findings of the study and the results of Kruskal-Wallis test showed that anxiety and stress scores had a significant and reverse relationship with the level of education (p = 0.007) and (p = 0.032). Higher levels of education have a protective role against the stress and anxiety of candidates for aggressive procedures. From the results of this research can be deduced that people with less educated have false anxiety, feelings of being harmed and insecure and worried. On the other hand, increased education leads to emotional well-being and less anxiety.