Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety among Mothers of Hospitalized Children in Kurdistan Region-Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: The hospital admission of a child can be a distressing event for parents, particularly for mother. This stress subsequently impacts the child's course of treatment. This study set out to evaluate the degree of anxiety and sadness among mothers whose children were hospitalized in Duhok City.Methods: The research was done using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A non-probability convenience sample of 100 mothers that their children were hospitalized at the medical ward at Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital. Data were taken by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales, and data collection took place from 5th of January, to 15th of March 2024.Results: The study found that the mean age of the mothers was 29.38 and married for less than 5 years, 34% were illiterate, 85% were housewives the mean of 3.03 had more than 3 children, and half of them were lives in urban area. Regarding the childrens data, the mean age of children was 1.85, majority of them were male, hospitalized for <5 days, and majority of children hospitalized for the 1st time. Responses from the mothers on anxiety and depression scales revealed that (43%) had mild depression. Also the large number of mothers (35%) had mild anxiety.Conclusions: The current study found the significant presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, in order to assist these mothers and address their psychological disorders, the study brought attention to the necessity of integrating mental health services within hospitals.