Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is clinical threat to healthy individuals around the world. Risk of

disease and related complications are high among immunocompromised individuals and those with pre-existing

chronic diseases.

Aim: To assess the fear of Covid-19 among patients having chronic diseases and to determine its relationship

with preventive practices among them.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Community Medicine, HITEC Hospital Taxila from 1st

September2020 to 31st March 2021.

Methodology: Three hundred and seventeen patients having chronic diseases were included. Fear of Covid-19

scale used to assess the fear level and questions related to preventive practices.

Results: Fear of Covid-19 was high among females, hypertensive, diabetics and those having cardiovascular

disease. Fear was found among 133 (42%) participants. Regarding Covid-19 preventive practices, 8(2.5%) had

unsatisfactory, 115 (36.3%) had satisfactory and 194(61.2%) had good preventive practices. Covid precautions

were significantly practiced among those having fear. Statistically significant positive correlation was found

between mean Covid fear and practices scores (r=.30, p=.001)

Conclusion: Fear of Covid is a recognized risk factor for anxiety and depression among people. However, fear is

found to promote risk perception and health related preventive behaviors among chronic patients that can

positively ensure safety, decrease the risk of infection and serious complications among chronic patients.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-19, Fear for Covid-19, Preventive Practices, Chronic diseases.