European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STRESS LEVEL AMONGST LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS PARENTS OF CHILDREN ADMITTED IN PEDIATRIC WARD AND PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT TERTIARY LEVEL RURAL HEALTH CARE CENTER

*Dr. Gaurav I. Patel, Dr. Prasad Muley, Dr. Abhishek Vadher, Dr.Pokhraj Suthar, Dr. Gautam V Shah, Dr. Ankitkumar B. Patel

ABSTRACT

Aims and objectives To explore and to identify accounts of the parents’ experiences of a PICU admission of their child and to compare the results with parents of children admitted to pediatric ward. We also planned to examine socio demographic variables that can contribute to parental anxiety and stress in the PICU. Materials and Methods All parents whose child was admitted for 48 hrs in PICU or Pediatric ward at our hospital and willing to participate were included in study. All the parent (father/brother of patients) were asked questions as per the Parental Stress Scale (PaSS) and Perceived Stress Scale. The PeSS is a 10 item questionnaire used to measure a person’s perception of stress over the past month and to determine the likelihood of whether perceived stress might be making them more susceptible to stress-induced compromise of their health. The PaSS is a self-report scale that contains 18 items representing pleasure or positive themes of parenthood (emotional benefits, self-enrichment, personal development) and negative components (demands on resources, opportunity costs and restrictions). The Parental Stress Scale demonstrated satisfactory levels of internal reliability (.83), and test-retest reliability (.81). Exclusion criteria were; known psychiatric patient, children suffering from chronic illness, hospital stay less than 48 hours & not willing to participate in study our study was approved by IEC. Results and Conclusions There is significant stress among parents of children admitted to PICU as compared to ward patients. Stress level scores were almost equal between male or female child’s attendants. There was no difference in stress levels in parents based on the gender of the child. Also, socioeconomic and demographic factors like education and income of parents did not affect level of stress. Introduction When combined with worry about ongoing procedures and medical treatment, parental distress is common and understandable1. Parents have to face many sources of stress in the PICU, which are like alarms of machines, staff noises, noises from monitors, frequent invasive procedures and deterioration of their child or other children. More and more seriously ill children are being admitted to intensive care units due to advances in life-saving technology. As a result, feelings of anxiety and unexpected family problems may arise. Apart from the unpredictability of the immediate health outcomes of their sick child, parents often find their established parental roles altered, resulting in further anxiety and uncertainty2, 3. Aims and Objectives  To compare stress levels in parents of patients admitted to ward and PICU.  To compare stress levels in parents of admitted patients as per the gender of patients.  To compare stress levels in parents of admitted patients as per socioeconomic factors like their education and family income.

Keywords: Pediatric wards, PICU, stress.