Correlates of higher anxiety scores reported by women admitted for elective caesarean section

Anxiety Assessment Using the Visual Analogue Scale Among Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section

Introduction Patients scheduled to undergo surgery are likely to experience anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety levels are significantly higher in obstetric patients compared to the general population. The most common operation performed on obstetric patients is a cesarean section. The purpose of our study is to evaluate pregnant women's anxiety prior to an elective cesarean section. Method A prospective study was conducted on a sample of hospitalized pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section in a Greek secondary hospital from October 2023 to March 2024. An anonymous questionnaire was administered 12-15 hours before delivery. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic data and closed-ended questions regarding educational level, parity, type of anesthesia in a previous cesarean section, and the presence of pathology in the current pregnancy. The second part consisted of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for anxiety assessment. A total of 50 pregnant women participated in this study with a mean age of 30.5 years old (SD=6.1). Results  The average anxiety score was 6.14 with a standard deviation of 2.52. From the relationships examined, it emerged that higher VAS values are expected for younger women (r=-0.344; p=0.014). Additionally, significantly higher values were recorded for nulliparous women (M=7.54; SD=2.5) compared to multiparous women (M=5.65; SD=2.37) according to the independent samples t-test (t=-2.437; p=0.019). From the same analysis, significantly higher values were observed for pregnant women exhibiting pregnancy-related pathologies (M=7.60; SD=1.43) compared to women undergoing a smoothly progressing, uncomplicated pregnancy (M=5.78; SD=2.61) (t=-2.117; p=0.039). Finally, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of education or the type of anesthesia in a previous cesarean section and the VAS. Conclusion Anxiety prior to an elective cesarean section is expected to be greater in younger women and in nulliparous, while it is also higher for women with pregnancy-related pathologies. Participating in antenatal classes, creating a birth plan, and receiving professional support from health providers are examples of effective strategies to reduce anxiety, even before an elective cesarean section.

The Impact of Educational Sessions on Anxiety Levels among Women Undergoing Caesarean Section: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Although the Caesarean section (CS) is considered a harmless surgery, it has various complications. Women scheduled for elective CSs often have high levels of anxiety due to a lack of knowledge. The aim of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to determine the relationship between preoperative educational sessions and anxiety levels among women undergoing CSs. The study was conducted at the antenatal unit in the King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC) in Taif, Saudi Arabia, using a structured interview questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and satisfaction interviews. A total of 50 pregnant women participated in this study, who were divided into two groups: 25 participants in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. Most participants (92%) in the intervention group had low anxiety levels following educational sessions, and 96% of the participants were very satisfied with the preoperative information they had been given. Women in the control group (again, 92%) had high anxiety levels, and there was a significant difference in the anxiety levels of the intervention and control groups (p ≤ 0.5) after the educational sessions. Providing proper preoperative education about CSs can reduce preoperative anxiety, improve patient outcomes, and enhance patients' involvement in their care and decision-making.