The fears of high school children from medical procedures and affecting factors

Abstract

Introduction: This study is a descriptive study aiming to defi ne the fears of medical procedures and factors affecting them in high school children. Materials and Methods: At fi rst students were grouped according to rural and urban schools in Famagusta and the study population in both areas was calculated by using the formula for cases in which the study population is known. By enrolling an equal number of male and female participants from each school by simple randomization, a total of 332 students were enrolled. Data was collected by using the Fear for Medical Procedures Scale and the Descriptive Questionnaire. The data was evaluated by using means, percentages, t-test and variance analysis (Anova). Results: The mean medical fear score of the entire students was 42.14±9.73 referring to the group of 'moderate fear'. Of the students 87.3% were in the group of 'moderate fear', 4.8% in the group of 'no fear' and 7.8% in the group of 'high fear'. No statistical signifi cance was found between hospitalization etiology, hospitalization period, previous treatments and examinations (except oral examination), mother and father's occupation, mother's education level and the Medical Procedure Fear Scale (p>0.05). On the other hand, statistically signifi cant differences were found between gender, father's education level and total fear score. The mean total fear score of girls was 44.74±10.25 and of boys was 39.61±8.48. Mean fear score of students whom father's education was limited to reading and writing was 50.29±11.53 and for those whose fathers were university graduates it was 41.16±10.18. Statistically signifi cant differences were found between number of brothers and sisters, age, oral examination history and operational, environmental and interpersonal dimensions of the Medical Procedure Fear Scale (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that fears could be reduced by doctor-nurse relationships and kind approaches of medical staffs towards students could have positive effects on the fears of students from medical procedures. © The Journal of Current Pediatrics, published by Galenos Publishing.