A Descriptive Study to Assess Level of Stress, Anxiety, and Pain Among Hospitalized Children Admitted in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of APC, PGIMER, Chandigarh 2020−2022

Abstract

Background Hospitalization is stressful for children. Hospitalized children suffer from stress due to the negative change in their life. Children facing medical procedures often experience pain and anxiety. Physical, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental factors all influence child behavior, which is especially challenging for children as compared to adults. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches can be used to manage distress among children. There are several ways to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain among hospitalized children. Puzzles, books, comics, crossword, video games, televisions, toys, phone, and so on. all are effective ways through which child can be engaged. Aim To assess the level of stress, anxiety, and pain among hospitalized children admitted in the Pediatric Surgery Unit, APC, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. Methods A descriptive study was conducted on 60 hospitalized children. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the sample. The data were collected through interview schedule consisting of socio-demographic profile, clinical profile, and questionnaire on stress, anxiety and pain. Results The findings of the study revealed that all the children were having moderate stress, whereas majority of the children (91.7%) were having moderate anxiety, and only 8.3% of the children were having severe anxiety. During the assessment it was also found that almost 55% were having pain score 4, that is, Hurts little bit as assessed by Wong baker face pain scale. Conclusion Children who were being hospitalized were having varied degrees of stress, anxiety, and pain. Therefore, some diversional therapy should be planned to reduce their distress.