Stressors in patients admitted to adult intensive care units

Abstract

Background: Intensive care units (ICU) are stress-generating settings given the environment and the biomedical approach that is practiced there. Objectives: To identify the perception and level of stress that the situations that occur in the ICU generate on the patients and determine the sociodemographic characteristics influencing stress. Methodology: Observational, cross-sectional study with an analytical approach in which the Escala de Factores Estresantes Experimentados por los Pacientes en UCI was applied. Results: In this sample, 13% of respondents had a moderate or high level of stress. The most stressful situations included being concerned about their health and its consequences, not being able to go to the bathroom, not being able to fulfill their role in the family, not having control over their activities, and feeling pain. The analysis of the sociodemographic data showed that education (p = 0.028): basic (p = 0.028; OR = 16) and university (p = 0.027 ; OR = 17) influenced the level of stress. Conclusion: For most of the interviewees, ICU stay was not stressful or mildly stressful. The educational level predisposes to stress perception. The most stressful situations are emotional situations. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]