Fear and anxiety among COVID-19 Screening Clinic Beneficiaries of a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India.

India is one among the most affected countries in the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing number of cases in India and the fear of COVID-19 infection is causing fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 the community dwellers are less studied. This study was conducted to assess the fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 among the people seeking COVID-19 screening test. The cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 398 participants aged 18 years and above who attended the screening clinic of a tertiary care hospital of eastern India. Participants were assessed using Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Fear of COVID-19 scale which are validated screening scales. Result showed that 20.4 % of the participants were having anxiety due to COVID-19. The mean fear score was 17.87 ± 4.48. Females, Middle aged, housewives, less educated, symptomatic, co-morbid and people under institutional quarantine were having more fear. People with COVID-19 related anxiety faced more fear. These findings suggest the need for screening anxiety in COVID-19 screening clinics. People with high levels of COVID related anxiety and fear are at risk for developing psychiatric disorders hence need targeted approach to address their mental health.