Abstract :
Background: Parents of the COVID -19 positive hospitalized children are facing different psychological stresses which are affecting child’s care and well-being.
Aims: To determine the psychological stress, anxiety and depression and to identify the associated influencing factors in mothers of hospitalized COVID-19 infected children
In this cross-sectional observational study, 150 mothers of COVID-19 positive hospitalized children in a paediatric tertiary care hospital were randomly selected and studied. Data collection tool was a two part questionnaire; the first part was based on ‘Perceived stress scale-10’ and ‘Hospital anxiety and depression scale’ and the second part included stressors related to COVID-19 pandemic selected based on previous researches. The incidence of these stressors and their significance in causing stress, anxiety and depression was assessed using standard statistical methods.
Results: 83.4% had moderate psychological stress, 35% had significant anxiety and 38% had significant depression. Worry about hospital bed availability and treatment cost (Odd’s ratio>9) and worry about getting infection (Odd’s ratio>8) as main stressors for stress, concern about family members and worry about getting infection (Odd’s ratio>9 for both) as main factors for anxiety and concern about family members (Odd’s ratio>22) as main factor for depression was found in study population.
Conclusion: This pandemic has imposed grave psychological impact on mothers of hospitalized COVID infected children and various influencing social factors have been identified through our study. Holistic approach including socio-economic, administrative and political measures should be taken and adequate psychological support should be provided to address maternal mental health related issues.
Keyword :
COVID-19, Mother, Hospitalization, Stress, Anxiety, Depression