Anxiety Levels and Needs of Fathers of Children Hospitalized in Pediatric Surgery Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Aim:The purpose of this study was to determine the anxiety levels and needs of those fathers whose children were hospitalized in a pediatric surgery intensive care unit.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted with the fathers of children hospitalized in a pediatric surgery intensive care unit in 2016/2017 by using the critical care family needs inventory (CCFNI), and State and Trait Anxiety scale. Setting: Turkey, a university hospital.Results:This study included 113 fathers. The fathers’ mean age was 36.6±6.31 years. There was a weak positive correlation between the scores the fathers obtained from the State Anxiety scale and the CCFNI. There was a difference between the fathers’ intensive care needs in terms of their education levels. While ‘‘feeling that hospital personnel are attentive to the patient’’ was important for 92% of the fathers, ‘‘being sure that as much care as possible is given” was important for 88.5% and ‘‘being informed about the patient at least once a day’’ was important for 85.8%.Conclusion:The anxieties and needs of the fathers of the patients staying in a pediatric surgery intensive care unit were high, particularly in those with a low educational level. Health professionals should be aware of the fathers’ feelings, needs and stressors so that they can provide interventions specific to fathers.

Keywords

• anxiety
• father
• needs
• pediatric surgery
• intensive care