title: Partner anxiety prior to elective Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia.
abstract: This study was designed to measure anxiety levels in 91 partners of women undergoing elective Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia and to outline potential relieving factors. Twenty-eight percent of partners were pathologically anxious. There was a positive association between anxiety and prior attendance at the anaesthetic assessment clinic (p=0.008). There was no statistically significant association between anxiety and education, occupation, gender, relationship to the patient or previous attendance at Caesarean section. Concern about a safe outcome for the mother and child caused most anxiety, less being expressed regarding presence in the operating theatre or anaesthesia per se. Over 70% of partners expressed the view that attendance at the anaesthetic assessment clinic or provision of written information would reduce their anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Southampton General Hospital, UK. ianr@taylor400.fsnet.co.uk
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bullough
authors.forename: J C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van Hamel
authors.forename: D N C
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*