Partner anxiety and its associated factors before elective caesarean section

Objective: This study aimed to assess the partner anxiety and its associated factors before elective caesarean section at a tertiary hospital in South India.

Background: Anxiety is a behavioural expression of stress and an unpleasant feeling that can be brought on by a number of factors. The information given to the pregnant woman and her husband regarding caesarean delivery could create anxiety. Spouses who assist in caring for their wifes’ during childbirth may be subjected to mild to severe anxiety.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out among 200 spouses of pregnant women planned for elective caesarean section. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Partner Anxiety Associated Factors Checklist were used.

Results: The mean score of state inventory was 44.245 (±9.30) and trait inventory was about 23.145 (±7.11) and partner anxiety associated factors checklist was 19.94 (±6.54). A significant association was found with a p value < 0.05 between the education and State Anxiety Inventory (p value – 0.041), Trait Anxiety Inventory (p value – 0.024); between job and State Anxiety Inventory (p value – 0.046) and Partner Anxiety Associated factor Checklist   (p value – 0.026); income and State Anxiety Inventory (p value – 0.031), Trait Anxiety Inventory (p value – 0.008); the years of marriage and Partner Anxiety Associated factor Checklist   (p value – 0.022).

Conclusion: Nurses and Obstetricians need to provide family-centred pre-operative counselling, understand the psychological factors that contribute to caregivers' anxiety and include them in pre-anaesthesia counselling.