Preoperative Anxiety in Greek Children and Their Parents When Presenting for Routine Surgery

Abstract

Background A surgical operation in pediatric patients is a rather stressful experience for both children and their parents. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of specific demographic characteristics in parent's and children's preoperative anxiety. Methods The sample was composed of 128 Greek-speaking children (1–14 years of age) who had to undergo minor surgery in a University General Hospital. Before surgical operation, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and a questionnaire for the social-demographic characteristics were completed by the parents. Children's preoperative anxiety was evaluated using the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS). Results The independent predictors of increased anxiety levels in parents are child's age (p=0.024) and gender (girls: p=0.008), living in rural areas (parents: p < 0.001; children: p=0.009), being a mother (p=0.046), high or low education level (p=0.031), a no premedicated child (p=0.007), and high baseline parental anxiety (p=0.003). Previous hospitalization (p=0.019), high situational parental anxiety (p < 0.001), no premedication (p=0.014), and being the only child in the family (p=0.045) are found to be the main determinants of preoperative anxiety control in children. Conclusions This study identifies possible risk factors of preoperative anxiety in parents and their children, which are high parental anxiety, child's age, no premedication, being the only child in the family, living in rural areas, education level, and previous hospitalization.

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

“…It has been reported higher in several studies; which ranges 50-75% patients in studies done from USA and Brazil 8,9 but studies done in Greek and Brazil reported relatively smaller (42% and 39%). 10,11 Younger age children, female gender, past bad hospital experience, past anesthetic, and surgical exposure, intravenous mode of anesthetic induction, increased number of people during induction, and low socioeconomic status of the parent are known to experience preoperative anxiety more frequently. [11][12][13] Children are influenced by parental advice and guidance in coping with new or stressful situations; on the other hand, parents may be anxious varying with the information given regarding anesthesia and associated risks, which may result in fear and anxiety for their children.…”

“…10,11 Younger age children, female gender, past bad hospital experience, past anesthetic, and surgical exposure, intravenous mode of anesthetic induction, increased number of people during induction, and low socioeconomic status of the parent are known to experience preoperative anxiety more frequently. [11][12][13] Children are influenced by parental advice and guidance in coping with new or stressful situations; on the other hand, parents may be anxious varying with the information given regarding anesthesia and associated risks, which may result in fear and anxiety for their children. Well-prepared parents, in turn, will be able to support their children and help themselves and their children suitably for an upcoming surgery.…”

“…It has been reported higher in several studies; which ranges 50–75% patients in studies done from USA and Brazil 8 , 9 but studies done in Greek and Brazil reported relatively smaller (42% and 39%). 10 , 11 Younger age children, female gender, past bad hospital experience, past anesthetic, and surgical exposure, intravenous mode of anesthetic induction, increased number of people during induction, and low socioeconomic status of the parent are known to experience preoperative anxiety more frequently. 11–13 …”

“…10 , 11 Younger age children, female gender, past bad hospital experience, past anesthetic, and surgical exposure, intravenous mode of anesthetic induction, increased number of people during induction, and low socioeconomic status of the parent are known to experience preoperative anxiety more frequently. 11–13 …”

The Impact of Parental Presence on the Anxiety Experienced by Pediatric Patients During Anesthesia

“…A more recent study by Charana et al (2018) examined the effect of specific demographic characteristics in parents' and childrens' preoperative anxiety. The study consisted of 128 Greek speaking children ranging 1-14 years of age.…”