Background and Objectives:  Diagnosis of large intestine disease using barium enema examination may not be successful because the patient may be anxious during the pre-examination, resulting in non-cooperation with the procedure (i.e., to insert the barium sulphate injection head) and subsequent reception and retention of the contrast medium for the duration of the X-ray procedure. The objectives were (a) to assess the level of anxiety in patients undergoing barium enema (b) to evaluate the information required by the patients and (c) to compare the anxiety of patients with respect to gender, age, status, education, career and family income.

Method :  This was descriptive research set at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.  The population sample included 223 patients between 25-80 years of age who gave informed consent.  The data were collected using a validated international questionnaire translated into Thai.  The data were then analyzed for t-test and one way ANOVA using SPSS for PC.

Results :  The anxiety score among the pre-examination patients was of a moderate level.  Two-thirds of the patients (69.1%) had a modest anxiety score.  The further information required by the patients included (a) diagnosis report (b) side-effects of the contrast media and (c) post-examination conduct (e.g., eat normally, drink fluids, follow-up with a doctor).  The anxiety of patients according to their gender, age, status, education, career and family income

Conclusion:  Overall the pre-examination patients had a moderate level of anxiety.  The descending rank of further information required was (a) diagnosis report (b) side-effect(s) of the contrast media and (c) post-examination conduct.  The demographic condition of the patient significantly affected their level of anxiety.

Keywords:  Barium enema examination, anxiety