Anxiety Levels of Primary Caregivers of Children With Tracheostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

We aim to evaluate the anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Caregivers of 31 children with tracheostomy and 105 healthy children (control group) were included. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered via teleconference in order to investigate how participants describe how they feel at a particular moment (State) and how they generally feel (Trait). The trait anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy were significantly higher ( P = .02). Their state anxiety levels were similar. The state and trait anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy correlated ( r = 0.70, P < .001). At the end of the teleconference, caregivers of children with tracheostomy experienced greater anxiety relief than controls ( P < .001). Trait anxiety scores were higher among caregivers of children with tracheostomy, but their state anxiety levels were comparable to those of controls. Caregivers with high trait anxiety also exhibited high state anxiety. Informing caregivers of children with tracheostomy about COVID-19 via teleconference can reduce their anxiety during such stressful times.

Amplifying patient voices amid pandemic: Perspectives on tracheostomy care, communication, and connection

“…Few studies have specifically explored patients and families' survivorship challenges [48] which can affect mental health, physical impairments, and cognitive impairments. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common after COVID-19 critical illness [49] .…”

The associations between the clinical course of children with tracheostomy and their mothers' depression, burnout, burden, and self‐esteem

“…In a study evaluating the anxiety levels of mothers of 31 children with tracheostomies during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that healthy children had significantly higher levels of trait anxiety than their mothers. It has been shown that informing mothers of children with tracheostomy about COVID-19 via teleconference reduces their anxiety(Onay et al, 2021). The use of follow-up systems via teleconference in informing caregivers of children with tracheostomy, determining their unmet needs, answering their questions, providing support services and monitoring patients closely may be beneficial in reducing their depression, burnout and anxiety.The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed many problems that cause difficulties in the care of patients with tracheostomy, such as fears due to the epidemic, concerns about disease transmission, and the need for personal protective equipment.…”