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Evaluation of the psychological distress experienced by spouses of women undergoing anaesthesia for caesarean section

Background: Caesarean section (CS) could serve a challenging situation to spouses and family of women, more so as these women are meant to undergo anaesthesia. Little evidence exists with regard to the psychological impact of this on these families. Aim: The study was aimed to evaluate psychological distress among spouses of women undergoing anaesthesia for CS and also to identify the coping strategies used by the participants. Methods: Ninety-one husbands of women undergoing anaesthesia for CS were consecutively recruited. They were given a self-administered study protocol consisting of sociodemographic questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Brief Cope Inventory. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Fifty participants (54.9%) were found to have psychological distress (GHQ of 3 and above). Psychological distress was significantly more amongst younger participants (20–39 years' age group: 100% and 30–39 years' age group: 57.4%, P < 0.05). A significantly higher proportion (72.4%) of participants were unemployed, whereas those without previous experience of birth (85.0%) had psychological distress (P < 0.05). However, employment status (OR=3.5; 95%CI; 1.24-9.98) and previous birth experience [(OR 95% CI, 6.3 (1.59 - 24.78)] predicted the outcome of psychological distress among the participants on multivariate analysis. The mean scores on the coping subscales of substance use, positive reframing, planning and self-blame were significantly higher among those with psychological distress in comparison to those without psychological distress (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological distress is high among the husbands of women undergoing anaesthesia for CS. Substance use, positive reframing, planning and self-blame were more observed among those with psychological distress.