Anxiety Levels In Children Research Articles

Virtual reality in the outpatient: reducing anxiety and fear in venous puncture

To analyze whether the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets during venipuncture can modify the perception of pain, anxiety, and fear in pediatrics. Open label, randomized clinical trial. The presence of intellectual, visual, or hearing impairment were considered exclusion criteria. Two anxiety and fear scales were administered before and after the procedure, and the Wong-Baker face pain scale at the end. The following were recorded: number of venipuncture attempts, duration of the procedure, and side effects. 78 patients were included, 38 males and a mean age of 9.63 years. In the intervention group, the mean pain value was 2.87, with a mean difference (MD) of -0.85 compared with the control one (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.02 to 0.33). There was a significant reduction in the level of anxiety and fear, with MDs of -2.59 (95%CI: -3.92 to -1.26) and -0.85 points (95%CI: -1.45 to -0.24), respectively. the use of VR headsets in venipuncture in hospital daytime care decreases the level of anxiety and fear in children and seems to reduce pain, without adverse effects. The venipuncture procedure has the same success rate and does not increase its duration.

Family Centered Care Berhubungan dengan Kecemasan Anak Usia Prasekolah yang Menjalani Hospitalisasi di UPTD RSUD Jend. Ahmad Yani Metro

Being sick and being hospitalized is a major crisis for children, while children still have limited coping mechanisms to deal with problems so that children easily experience anxiety about undergoing hospitalization, this condition can affect the immune response and impact the length of the healing process. Efforts that can be made by health workers, especially nurses, to reduce the level of anxiety in children is through family centered care. The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between family centered care and anxiety in preschool aged children undergoing hospitalization. Research design is a correlation study, cross-sectional design. The population in this study were preschool children undergoing hospitalization. The sample used was 58 people. Data analysis in this study was carried out using the Somer's d test.The research results showed that the distribution of family centered care was mostly in the good category (55.2%), and the majority of preschool aged children undergoing hospitalization experienced mild anxiety (62.1%). The results of the analysis show that there is a relationship between family centered care and anxiety in preschool aged children undergoing hospitalization (p-value = 0.001). The correlation coefficient obtained was r 0.413, the direction of the correlation was positive with the strength of the relationship being in the medium category, meaning that the better the family centered care, the anxiety symptoms of pre-school aged children undergoing hospitalization would decrease. It is hoped that family centered care can be implemented optimally to help overcome anxiety problems in children undergoing hospitalization.

The Related Role of Anxiety and Parental Resilience on the Aggressive Tendencies of Preschool Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In this study, we aimed to determine the related role of anxiety and parental resilience on the aggressive tendencies of preschool children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sample comprised a total of 293 parents with children aged 4-6 years. Relationships between Preschool Anxiety Scale, Aggression Orientation Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale total and subscale scores were evaluated using Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis. The results of this study show that there is a positive relationship between children's aggression tendencies and anxiety levels. We observed weak to moderate correlations between parents' resilience scores and the children's aggression and anxiety scores. Although linear regression analysis indicated no significant effect of parental resilience on children's aggressive tendencies, anxiety levels may be related. In addition, study results showed that the physical aggression tendencies of children differed according to their age and the number of children in the family, albeit at a low level. Further studies are needed to identify factors associated with aggression in preschool children.

The Benefits of Acute Exercise for Children's Cognition Are Associated with Trait Anxiety.

Children's anxiety is associated with decreased cognitive performance. One well-established behavioral intervention to transiently improve cognitive performance in children is acute aerobic exercise (AAE). Thus far, however, it is unclear whether the benefits of AAE on cognition vary based on individual differences in children's anxiety level. Therefore, we investigated whether trait anxiety levels mediate the effects of AAE on cognitive outcomes in preadolescent children. Ninety-five preadolescent children (9 to 11 yr, 41 females) underwent two experimental interventions in a random, crossover, and counterbalanced design: an exercise protocol (20 min of walking at 65% to 75% of HRpeak) and a nonexercise control (seated rest). Behavioral indices of cognitive performance (accuracy, reaction times, response time (RT) variability) were assessed before and after each intervention using a modified flanker task. The effects of each intervention on cognitive performance were calculated as pre- to postintervention differences (effect scores). These scores were first correlated with children's personal characteristics: anxiety (STAIC), sex, age, body mass index, intelligence quotient, and aerobic fitness. Significant correlations guided subsequent hierarchical regression models, which specifically tested for associations between the effects scores and anxiety levels while controlling for remaining relevant covariates. Regression analysis revealed that anxiety was a significant predictor of the effects that AAE and rest had on cognitive performance. Specifically, higher anxiety scores were associated with greater exercise-induced cognitive benefits (increased accuracy, decreased RT variability; all P < 0.05) and greater rest-induced cognitive impairments (decreased accuracy, increased RT variability; all P < 0.01). These findings suggest that children reporting higher trait anxiety might experience greater cognitive benefits from a single bout of AAE.

Application of Play Therapy to Children's Anxiety Level Due to Hospitalization

Hospitalization occurs because the child is sick, which can cause fear and anxiety problems. The need for treatment due to anxiety, one of which is providing play therapy. Play therapy is a structured game, which is implemented by nurses with the aim of reducing anxiety due to hospitalization. The method used is a descriptive case study with 2 respondents who experience anxiety. The level of anxiety was measured in pre-post therapy using the QUESTT questionnaire which contained an anxiety scale, namely the Facial Anxiety Scale (FAS) and Visual Facial Anxiety Scale (VFAS), followed by providing play therapy coloring pictures for 3 consecutive days within 30 minutes. The result of applying play therapy to both respondents was the disappearance of anxiety. In child F with the pre-play therapy FAS anxiety scale, a score of 3 was obtained and post-therapy a score of 0, while the VFAS pre-play therapy obtained a score of A4 and after play therapy, a score of A0 was obtained, likewise for child G, the anxiety level with the pre-play therapy FAS scale was obtained with a score of 1 and The play therapy port got a score of 0, while the pre-play therapy VFAS got a score of A2 and post play therapy got a score of A0. Play therapy is effective in reducing or even reducing anxiety in children due to hospitalization. It is hoped that nursing staff will be able to apply play therapy to nursing care in overcoming anxiety problems due to hospitalization in children.

The Effectiveness of A Teddy Bear Hospital in Reducing Anxiety Towards Healthcare Setting Among Primary School Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objective: The Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is a worldwide concept of imaginative play therapy. TBH was initiated to address children’s fear andanxiety towards healthcare setting. Children will bring their teddy bears to see the “teddy doctor” and will act as the parents or guardians while observing the main aim of a clinic or hospital visit. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the IMACATS’ TBH intervention module on reducing children’s anxiety towards healthcare professionals. Methods: A pretest-posttest pre-experimental study was conducted in from May to December 2022. Participants were among primary school students in Selangor. This study was approved by Ministry of Education and informed consents were obtained from parents prior to recruitment. 45 participants were recruited with the help of teachers. There were two assessment points, one month before (preintervention) and one week after TBH event (post intervention). The same questionnaire was used at those two points. Study instruments consisted of two sections (sociodemographic background and level of anxiety towards healthcare professionals using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) with 6-point Likert scale. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26.To evaluate the effectiveness of TBH, mean scores will be compared between pre and post intervention. Results &amp; Conclusion: 45 participants were recruited with the help of teachers but only 40 completed the questionnaire. Majority were female (60%) and from low socioeconomic status (45%). All participants were Malay. The mean scores for each item of level of anxiety towards healthcare personnel range from 1.73 to 4.0 for pre-intervention and 1.05 to 3.28 for post-intervention. The total mean score of anxiety level for pre- and post-intervention also reduced from 10.13±3.22 to 7.50±2.31 respectively. Hence, we can conclude that TBH is effective in reducing anxiety level of children towards healthcare setting. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue 01: 2024 Page: S51

The Impact of Wellbeing Interventions on the Anxiety Levels of Children Attending Low-Income Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic review examined the impact of wellbeing interventions on the anxiety levels of children attending low-income schools. Studies, published between January 2000 and April 2022, were included if they had samples of school aged children attending low-income schools who were given a universal school-based wellbeing intervention. Ten databases were searched systematically to identify 542 records. After title and abstract screening, 43 records remained for full text screening, and of these studies, 10 met inclusion criteria. Quantitative data were extracted and were analysed narratively. The review found that in 50% of studies, wellbeing interventions were effective for reducing anxiety and that the impacts were maintained longer-term. The effects were stronger for girls when measured using self-report and were stronger for boys when measured using parental report.

Assessment of anxiety in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractObjectiveThis study assessed anxiety levels in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic and explored how factors related to COVID‐19 may have affected the prevalence of anxiety disorders among the pediatric population.MethodsChildhood anxiety symptoms were assessed at various pediatric practices in Central New Jersey between July 2021 and September 2022. The sample comprised 476 children and adolescents aged 8–17 who participated in the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) questionnaire, administered at their annual well‐child visits. Participants included both the child and the caregiver. The anxiety prevalence was compared with prepandemic standards published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety for children aged 8–17 years (28.3%) was greater than prepandemic levels (7.1%; p &lt; 0.0001). Among children aged 8–11, anxiety increased from 6.6% to 38.1% (p &lt; 0.0001), while for children aged 11–17, anxiety increased from 10.5% to 22.2% (p &lt; 0.0001). Previously diagnosed anxiety was a strong predictor of a high anxiety score on the questionnaire (mean = 28.95) compared with children without a history of anxiety (mean = 17.65; p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, a disparity was identified in the responses between the child and the caregiver questionnaires (p &lt; 0.0001).ConclusionThis study shows that children's anxiety levels increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Moreover, an inconsistency was found between children self‐reporting anxiety and caregivers underreporting their child's anxiety. These findings underscore the need for targeted support for those affected, especially children with a history of anxiety.

Comparison of Forward-Leaning and Fowler Position: Effects on Vital Signs, Pain, and Anxiety Scores in Children With Asthma Exacerbations.

It is essential to relieve bronchospasm or specific asthma symptoms by administering immediate inhaler treatment during an asthma exacerbation. The present study compared the effect of Fowler position and forward-leaning positions during nebulization on heart rate, SpO2 , breathing frequency, pain, and anxiety levels in children experiencing asthma exacerbations. The data originated from a randomized trial that compared 86 participants (study group n = 43, control group n = 43) who presented to the pediatric emergency department with asthma exacerbations between October 2019-February 2020. The subjects were administered nebulization 3 times, during which the study group was placed in the forward-leaning position and the control group in the routine Fowler position. The subjects provided information on chest pain and anxiety levels before and after nebulization, and heart rate, SpO2 , and breathing frequency were measured before and after each nebulization. The difference in the mean SpO2 measured at admission and after the third nebulization was significantly higher (3.2 ± 1.5% vs 2.3 ± 1.9%, P = .01); the difference in the mean breathing frequency was considerably higher (-6.0 ± 1.7 breaths/min vs -3.2 ± 1.8 breaths/min, P < .001), and the difference in the mean pain scores was significantly higher (-3.3 ± 2.5 vs -2.0 ± 2.3, P = .02) in the study group than in the control group. In addition, after the third nebulization, the breathing frequency (22.8 ± 2.8 breaths/min vs 24.2 ± 2.7 breaths/min, P = .02) and pain score of the study group were lower (0.8 ± 1.3 vs 1.5 ± 1.5, P = .01). There was no difference in the mean heart rate (20.6 ± 16.2 beats/min vs 20.0 ± 15.4 beats/min, P = .85) and anxiety levels (-2.0 ± 2.2 vs -1.9 ± 2.2, P = .90) between the groups. Placing children in a forward-leaning position during nebulization was effective in improving SpO2 and reducing breathing frequency and chest pain. The forward-leaning position implemented during nebulization is a non-pharmacologic method that supports recovery in children with asthma exacerbations.

The Effect of Relaxation Therapy on Reducing Mothers' Anxiety Levels in Children with ISPA at the Birem Bayeun Community Health Center

Cute Respiratory Infections (ARI) begin with heat accompanied by heat accompanied by one or more symptoms, throat, runny nose, dry or phlegm cough. The prevalence of ARI is calculated in the last 1 month, the five provinces with the highest ARI are East Nusa Tenggara (41.7%), Papua (31.1%), Aceh (30.0%), West Nusa Tenggara (28.3%), and East Java (28.3%). In Riskesdas 2007, East Nusa Tenggara was also the highest province with ARI. The prevalence period of ISPA in Indonesia according to Riskesdas 2013 as much as (25.0%) is not much different from 2007 as much (25.5%) (Riskesdas, 2013). This study aims to determine the effect of relaxation therapy on reducing maternal anxiety levels in children with ARI at Birem Bayeun Community Health Center. The study design was a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest. This study uses primary data that is processed in univariate and bivariate. Data is presented in the form of frequency distribution tables, cross tables, and narratives. The instrument used in this study is a questionnaire developed based on research variables. The number of samples in this study was 15 respondents with probability sampling techniques (purposive sampling). The results of this study indicate that of the 15 respondents before being given relaxation therapy the majority experienced severe anxiety as many as 10 respondents (66.7%) and after being given relaxation therapy the majority did not experience anxiety as much as 7 respondents (46.7% ). The results of this study also concluded that there was an effect of relaxation therapy on reducing maternal anxiety levels in children with ARI at Birem Bayeun Health Center with a p-value of 0.000. Researchers suggest that respondents add insight and knowledge about child care with ARI so that mothers can care for children with ARI and overcome anxiety.

The Effect of Three-point Acupressure Therapy on Anxiety Levels in Children Undergoing Dental Procedures.

To evaluate the efficacy of three-point acupressure therapy in decreasing the dental anxiety in children undergoing dental procedures and to introduce acupressure as a simple, noninvasive, and cost-effective technique of reducing dental anxiety in children. One hundred and sixty-eight, 8-12 years participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allotted to either group I (three-point acupressure) (n = 84) or group II (control) (n = 84). All children were subjected to a self-report measure of anxiety [Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS)] 30 minutes before starting and after completing the dental treatment. For group I children, acupressure beads were applied on selected three acupoints for approximately 10 minutes and were left adhered in place. After 20 minutes, anxiety scores were recorded for all the children and allotted treatment procedure was initiated. For group II children, the same methodology was followed except for the application of acupressure beads. Frankl behavior (FB) rating scale, pulse rate (PR), and systemic saturation levels of oxygen were also recorded as secondary outcome measures. The data obtained was analyzed statistically using Chi-squared analysis, t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) along with post hoc Bonferroni test. Significance level was predetermined at p ≤ 0.05. At time frame (TF)-2, significant decrease in anxiety scores was observed in acupressure group irrespective of the treatment procedure, whereas in control group, it increased significantly. PR was also increased in acupressure group and FB scale was improved. In control group, PR increased and behavior was not improved. Between TF-2 and 3, no reduction in anxiety score was observed. The three-point acupressure therapy reduces anxiety in children undergoing dental procedures when compared to nonacupressure group and the difference was statistically significant. Acupressure is a noninvasive stimulation technique applied to acupoints and can be easily administered by a trained pediatric dentist. Sisodia M, Kaur H, Garg N, et al. The Effect of Three-point Acupressure Therapy on Anxiety Levels in Children Undergoing Dental Procedures. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(2):136-142.

Effects of Parenting Styles on Anxiety

Parenting styles were proved to have an impact on many aspects of children’s emotion and cognition. This paper tries to explores the impact of different parenting styles on anxiety in children and adolescents. It discusses three main parenting styles - authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative - and examines their effects on anxiety levels. The paper finds that authoritarian parenting, characterized by rigid regulations and lack of emotional support, can contribute to higher levels of anxiety in children. On the other hand, permissive parenting, which lacks defined boundaries and discipline, can also increase anxiety levels in children. In contrast, authoritative parenting, which combines firm guidelines with emotional support, has been found to lower anxiety levels in children. The paper concludes that understanding the effects of parenting styles on anxiety is crucial for promoting the well-being and mental health of children and adolescents. For future research, more studies could be conducted on the mechanisms of influence between parenting styles and anxiety.

Reducing Pain and Anxiety in the Blood Collection Unit: The Impact of the Child-Friendly Design.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the effect of a child-friendly design on the pain and anxiety levels during blood draw in children aged 1-3 years and the satisfaction levels of their parents toward the environment in which they receive health care services. Methods: The nonrandomized study was conducted with 158 children aged 1-3 years and their parents. Data were obtained with the "Personal Information Form," "Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale," "Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scale," and "Parental Satisfaction Scale-VAS." Data were collected from the control group before the design and from the intervention group after the design. Results: During the blood draw, the VAS Anxiety score of the children in the intervention group was 3.17 ± 1.44 and that of the control group was 7.00 ± 2.51 (t = 246.500, p < .001). The FLACC score was 3.94 ± 1.65 in the intervention group and 7.32 ± 2.51 in the control group (t = 915.000, p < .001). The mean satisfaction scores of the parents in the intervention group for the environment where they received health care were 10.00 ± 0.00, and those of the parents in the control group were 4.85 ± 1.68 (test = -11.561, p < .001). Conclusion: The child-friendly design effectively reduced children's pain and anxiety levels during blood draws and increased parents' satisfaction with the environment in which health care was received. Practical Implications: Implementing a child-friendly design in blood collection units is recommended to alleviate the pain and anxiety associated with children's blood draws, thereby enhancing parental satisfaction with the care provided.

Reducing Anxiety in Children During Hospitalization by Providing Therapetical Puppet Play Intervention

This study aims to analyze various types of puppet play to reduce children's anxiety levels while hospitalized. The method used is a systematic review through the ProQuest database, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The selected articles were assessed for quality with the guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institutes (JBI). The results showed that from 11 review articles, it was revealed that playing puppet play effectively reduced children's anxiety during hospitalization, and the range of children given pain reduction strategies was 3-19 years. In conclusion, therapeutic puppet play can effectively reduce stress in children who experience hospitalization. Keywords: Children, Hospitalization, Playing with Puppet

An Overview of the Level of Anxiety N Children When Installing Infusions in the Emergency Department of the Islamic Hospital Purwokerto

Hospitalization is a crisis condition for every child admitted to the hospital. Separation from parents often causes significant emotional changes in children, such as anxiety. In Central Java Province, child hospitalization is 4.1% of the total population. Anxiety is a vague worry characterized by feelings of uncertainty and helplessness. Anxiety in children can arise because of something new and has never been experienced before, insecurity and discomfort, a feeling of losing something they are used to, and something that feels painful. The purpose of this study was to determine the Anxiety of Children During Infusion Installation in the Emergency Department of Purwokerto Islamic Hospital. This study is a descriptive study with a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study were pediatric patients in the Emergency Room of Purwokerto Islamic Hospital, a total of 30 respondents using accidental sampling technique. Data analysis in this study was univariate analysis. The results showed that the anxiety level of children in the Emergency Department of Purwokerto Islamic Hospital when installing infusions experienced moderate anxiety as many as 16 children (53.3%). Future researchers are advised to research interventions that can reduce children's anxiety during infusion.

Comparative Evaluation of Anxiety Levels in Children Undergoing Restorative Procedure Using No Music, Music of Choice, and Nursery Rhymes as a Behavior Management Technique in Children between 4 and 12 Years – An In vivo Study

Aim: The aim is to compare and evaluate the impact music has on anxiety in children while performing restorative procedures. Materials and Methods: Forty-five children between the ages of 4 and 12 years without any prior dental experience were recruited for the study. Forty-five children were equally divided into three groups of 15 children in each by simple random sampling. The children were allocated to the groups using the computer allocation method. Group A consisted of 15 children who were not made to hear music, Group B consisted of 15 children who heard nursery rhymes, and Group C consisted of 15 children who heard music of their own choice while undergoing restorative treatment for 40 min. Anxiety levels were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using Venham’s picture test, and pulse rate using pulse oximeter. Results: Music of choice and nursery rhymes showed a better reduction in anxiety levels than no music, with a very high statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.001). Music of choice was better than nursery rhymes and no music in reducing anxiety in children. Conclusion: The music of choice was more effective in reducing anxiety when compared to the nursery rhyme group and no music group.

The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Children’s Pain, Anxiety and Mothers’ Anxiety during Pre- and Postcircumcision Period

PurposeThe study was conducted to determine the effect of the therapeutic play method implemented on the pre- and post-circumcision pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety levels in pediatric surgery clinic. Design and methodsThis prospective, randomised clinical trial consisted of children between the ages of 3-6 admitted to the pediatric surgery clinic and their mothers (n=120) (Therapeutic playgroup = 60, Control group = 60). As a therapeutic play method; play dough was played with the children and their mothers during the structured conversation for about 10 minutes before and after the operation. A questionnaire, the “FLACC” pain scale, the “CEMS” anxiety scale and “STAI-I” anxiety scale for parents were used to collect data. FindingsIn the pre- and post-circumcision period, the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety levels in the therapeutic play group were statistically lower compared to the control group (p<0,05). In the post-operative period, a positive and significance correlation was found between anxiety levels of the mothers and pain and anxiety levels of children in the control group (p <0,05). Concluions: It was determined that the therapeutic play method was effective in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety in the pre- and post circumcision period. Practice implicationsTherapeutic play methods suitable for children's cognitive levels in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of children and their mothers' anxiety levels in the pre- and post-circumcision period.

Anxiety Levels of Preschool Children on the Effect of Play Therapy Due to Hospitalization at Makassar City Hospital

Hospitalization is often the first thing children have to face, especially during the early years, especially vulnerable to illness and hospitalization crises due to stress due to changes in health conditions, as well as children have a limited number of coping mechanisms to resolve stressors. The intervention This can be done, one way is by playing activities or play therapy. In sick condition or the child is hospitalized, this play activity is still carried out but must be appropriate with the child's condition. With games, children will be released from tension and stress experienced, because by playing children will be able to divert the pain on the game and relaxation through the pleasure of playing the game. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of play therapy on levels worry child on age preschool consequence hospitalization in Makassar Hospital. This research uses quantitative research methods with design study quasy experiment. Population in study This is all over child preschool in the Makassar Hospital Treatment Room with a sample of 20 pre-school children. From the results of the Wilcoxon test which was carried out with a value of p = 0.008, means mark p more small from α (0.05) Which show There is change response worry child before given therapy play And after given play therapy. Researchers hope for hospitals to implement play therapy to reduce anxiety levels in children and this research can be useful for respondents, especially parents, that play therapy very helpful for child in reduce level worry.

Blood Transfusion Incidence and Sociodemographics Relationship with Anxiety Levels of Thalassemia Major Parents

Introduction. Thalassemia is inherited anemia in an autosomal recessive manner with a disruption in hemoglobin synthesis that causes a decreased amount of hemoglobin and anemia. Routine blood transfusions carried out by sufferers and parents' sociodemographic factors can cause an increased psychological burden on the patient's parents. This study investigated the relationship between the incidence of blood transfusions in pediatric patients and parents' sociodemographics with the anxiety level of parents in pediatric thalassemia major patients at RSMH Palembang. This study used an observational analytical method with a cross-sectional study design. Methods. This study used an observational analytical method with a cross-sectional study design. This study consisted of 42 respondents. This study used primary data from interviews and filling out the Z-SAS questionnaire and secondary data from medical records. Results. The distribution of blood transfusion found in thalassemia major children who had transfusions £1 time/month was 40.5%. Based on sociodemographics, 81% of respondents were women, 26.2% had a low level of education, 28.6% were in early adulthood, 61.9% had less income, 81% had 1 child, and 14.3% had thalassemia Major children diagnosed £1 year. The level of anxiety that dominated the results was normal/not anxious (72.8%) and mild anxiety (26.2%). (P Value= 0.305; 0.174; 1.00; 0.095; 0.158; 0.657; 0.644). Conclusion. There was no relation between blood transfusion incidence in children with thalassemia major and sociodemographic of parents with anxiety levels of children with thalassemia major parents in RSMH Palembang.

Caries risk and dental anxiety in recall patients in a specialised paedodontic university clinic

Objective To evaluate parental reports of the oral health status and anxiety levels of children who attended a paediatric dental service and their association with children’s caries experience. Methods This questionnaire- and dental record-based study included a total of 70 healthy recall children aged between five and 10 years, who presented for a dental check-up to the specialised paedodontics department at the University of Greifswald, and for whom an application of fluoride varnish was indicated. The accompanying parent (n=70) was asked to evaluate their child’s dental anxiety (dichotomously with a single question – yes or no answer) and oral health status (good, satisfying, poor). Caries experience was categorised according to the dmft index based on World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. Results An overall frequency of dental anxiety of 40% (n=28) was found in recall children according to parental report. Only 32.1% (n=9) of those were children with low to very low caries experience, whereas 67.9% (n=19) belonged to the moderate to high/very high caries experience group. Thus, dental anxiety in this study was significantly associated with caries experience based on dmft index (p=0.030, chi-square test). Parental assessment of the oral health status of the schoolchildren and their caries experience level also showed a statistically significant association (p=0.020; chi-square test). Conclusion: Dental anxiety in recall children attending a specialised paediatric university dental clinic is high, which is clearly associated with higher caries experience. The majority of children who attended for dental follow-up appointment had moderate to very high caries experience, which was also associated with higher parent-reported dental anxiety and a poorer oral health status report.