Evaluation of Maternal Anxiety in Mothers of Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Preterm birth and subsequent admission of the infant to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be distressing for parents and lead to their anxiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal anxiety in mothers of infants admitted to the NICU and determine the characteristics associated with maternal anxiety. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with participation of 100 mothers with infant that was born premature and hospitalized in NICU (mothers were selected through convenient sampling method) of Al-Zahra hospital, affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Data collection tools included baseline characteristics (21 items), and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 23.0). Results: The results of study showed that 62% (n=100) of mothers had moderate level of state anxiety and (54% (n=100) had moderate level of trait anxiety, mean (SD) state anxiety score was 48.62(6.00) and mean (SD) trait anxiety was 32.45(3.63. There was statistically significant difference regarding state anxiety mean scores and number of delivery, education level, gestational age at birth weeks  and child order (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, mother of premature infants had moderate level of state anxiety. Having university degree, the mothers whose premature infants were at 33 weeks gestational age and mothers who had third or more delivery number and their child order was third and over had experienced state anxiety.