Prevalence and factors associated with preoperative parental anxiety among parents of children undergoing anesthesia and surgery: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Parents experience anxiety and concern about their children's anesthesia and surgeries, which may affect their ability to function normally and the operating staff caring for the child. We aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with parental anxiety. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from the 1st February to May 30th, 2019. 203 parents of children were enrolled in the study. The level of anxiety was measured using the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: Overall prevalence of parental anxiety was 74.2%. Being mother (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.76–11.27), not informed about anesthesia (AOR = 7.02, 95% CI = 2.62–18.80), child age < 1 year (AOR = 4.10, 95% CI = 1.25–19.15), being farmer (AOR = 9.73, 95% CI = 1.86–50.76), living in rural area (AOR = 4.50, 95% CI = 1.31–15.42), and fear of post-operative pain of the child (AOR = 6.63, 95% CI = 2.42–18.18) were significantly associated with parental anxiety. Conclusion: Prevalence of preoperative parental anxiety was high in our setup. Age of child, parent's gender, information about the anesthesia, fear of post-operative pain, and parent's occupation were associated predictor factors. The operating staff should consider these factors when interacting in the perioperative periods of their child's anesthesia and surgery. Highlights:

Percutaneous Achilles tenotomy under local anaesthetic in the clubfoot clinic was safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, for both children and parents

“…This study found that Achilles tenotomy done under LA is preferable to under GA from a parental perspective. This is supported by previous literature describing parental anxiety surrounding GA in paediatric surgery [ 16 , 17 ]. A study looking at anxiety scores of over 200 carers whose children were undergoing surgical procedures displayed high anxiety levels associated with the anaesthetic [ 17 ].…”

<p>Magnitude and Factors Associated with Preoperative Anxiety Among Pediatric Patients: Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…Mothers had four to five times greater chances of having high scores on the anxiety scale than fathers did. 42 , 43 However, the effects of parents’ level of education on the children’s level of anxiety were reported controversial. 11 , 42 Thus efforts must be taken to decrease parent’s preoperative stress with behavioral or other interventions which would further facilitate reducing their children’s anxiety.…”

Interventions for Parental Anxiety in Preparation for Pediatric Surgery: A Narrative Review

“…The preoperative surgical and anesthetic experience for many pediatric patients, as well as their parents, is stressful, and a common source of anxiety. Recent studies have indicated that up to 75% of children [1] and 74% of parents experience preoperative anxiety leading up to a pediatric surgical procedure [2]. Additionally, the presence of parental anxiety is known to affect the child's anxiety [3,4].…”

“…A variety of factors could play a role in perioperative parental anxiety, including parental separation [14], lack of control over the environment, or the risk of complications or mortality [4]. Ayenew et al [2] found that parental gender, fear of postoperative pain, the age of the child, and information about the anesthesia were predictive factors associated with preoperative parental anxiety. Additionally, there are multiple mechanisms potentially driving the interrelation between the parent and child's perioperative anxiety.…”