Prevalence of Claustrophobia amongst Patients Visiting Aga Khan University Hospital Radiology Department for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examination

Magnetic Resonance (MR) is a medical imaging technology where magnetic fields are used to make internal images of body organs to help medical practitioners visualise them for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Although MRI is a relatively safe procedure, the patients may go through significant anxiety or claustrophobia from having to lie down in a confined space for prolonged periods of time during the imaging procedure. The study explored the prevalence of claustrophobia amongst patients visiting the AgaKhan University Hospital. The study specifically aimed to determine if pre-exposure to an MRI machine would reduce fear and anxiety during MRI examinations in the radiology department of Aga Khan University Hospital, and whether age is more susceptible to fear and anxiety during MRI examinations. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The study targeted patients aged between 18-60years. Based on the Cochran formula, 140 participants were chosen. A questionnaire was used to assess patients undergoing the MRI procedure and participants with panic disorder. This study used SPSS version 28 to analyse data. The data was presented in tables. The study found that the prevalence of claustrophobia amongst patients visiting the radiology department at Aga Khan University Hospital for MRI examination was 42.9%. Those who had been exposed to MRI scans before had higher odds of having claustrophobia (1.071) than those who had not been exposed before (0.833). In addition, those aged 18-20 years and above 50 years had higher odds of being claustrophobic. Based on the findings, the study recommends that health professionals conducting MRI examinations should be prepared to assist the young and old patients, who were found to have a higher prevalence of claustrophobia as compared to middle-aged individuals.