STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF MATERNAL ANXIETY IN PEDIATRIC SETTING IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Maternal anxiety is a major psychological issue during a child’s hospitalization influencing both caregiver wellbeing and the child recovery. Despite global awareness there is little evidence on maternal anxiety in pediatric setting in Pakistan.

Objective: The study objective is to determine maternal anxiety levels as well as intensity, symptom profile, and sociodemographic with hospitalized children in the tertiary care settings of Peshawar Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This observational cross sectional study was carried out over six months at three tertiary hospitals in Peshawar. 142 moms of pediatric population were recruited using a non-probability sampling technique. Anxiety symptoms were using 14 items HAM-A measure, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 30. The intensity of symptoms was describe using descriptive statistics and anxiety factors were identified using ordinal logistic regression.

Results: The most common group was moderate anxiety (46.5%) followed by serve (27.5%), mild (21.8%) and very severe (4.2 %). The most common symptoms were physical tension (Mean =2.3), autonomous abnormality (mean=2.0), and restlessness ( mean=2.0), whereas cardiovascular symptom ( mean ( 0.8) were the least common. The age group 26-35 years accounted for the highest share (45.1%) and had considerably greater anxiety levels that the other category. Ordinal logistic indicated that age is a significant predicator of anxiety intensity (p 0.013), with mothers in the reproductive age group being more prone to psychological stress. Employment status was similarly link to increased anxiety (OR=1.84 95% CI: 1.30-2.63, p = 0.001), although higher income reduced the likelihood of severe anxiety (OR=0.63, 95% cl: 0.45-0.89 p= 0.009). There was no significant relationship discovered between education and anxiety (p=0.248).

Conclusion: Economic and caring variables significantly contribute to maternal anxiety. Early screening and assistance in pediatric settings are critical for mitigating its impact. Henceforth, longitudinal study is suggested for further research including more variables in the study.

Henceforth, longitudinal study is suggested for further research including more variables in the study.