Correlates of Higher Anxiety Scores Reported by Women Admitted for Elective Caesarean Section: research

Authors: Fida Asali ¹, Ismaiel Abu Mahfouz ², Lujain Al-Marabhah ³, Shirin Alatoom ³

     Lana Al Takriti ³, Zeina Abu Eisheh ³, Oqba Kuran ⁴, Hatim Jaber ²

1- The Hashemite University 2- Al Balqa Applied University 3- The Specialty Hospital  4-The University of Jordan

Objective

An elective caesarean section (CS) has  been associated with high anxiety  scores, and there are associations  between higher anxiety scores and  younger age, primigravidae, higher  educational level, and previous  experience with anaesthesia. In this  study, the aim is to measure anxiety  scores associated with an elective CS  using two measuring scales identify  women’s characteristics and obstetrics  variables that are associated with  higher scores.

Design

 Cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 Nov 2019  and 15 Nov 2020.

Discussion

Three hundred women were recruited. Means  (SD) for the participant’s age and gestation age  were 30.5 (5.7) years and 37.6 (1.4) weeks,  respectively. Additionally, 29.3% of the  participants having a CS were primigravidae  and 62.3% were for maternal indications.

Furthermore, 55%, 59%, and 61% of the  women had scores above the means of VASA  and STAI-S components 1 and 2, respectively.  Variables that showed statistically significant  associations with higher anxiety scores were  that the woman’s age was 25-34, the CS was  for foetal indications, the choice of anaesthesia  was general, and the source of information for  the choice of anaesthesia was a layperson.

Methods

 Women were included if they were 18  years of age or  more, had viable  pregnancies, and were admitted for an  elective CS. Anxiety scores were  measured on admission using the visual  analogue scale for anxiety (VASA) and  then the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory  (STAI-Y). Associated factors were studied  using logistic regression analyses

Conclusion

 Higher anxiety scores are prevalent among women  admitted for an elective CS. STAI-Y and VASA correlated  well, and the short VASA may replace the lengthy STAI-Y in  clinical practice. Identification of women with risk factors  may help in implementing policies to reduce anxiety.