The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels and Wound Pain Intensity in Post-Cesarean Section Patients
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Abstract
Cesarean section is a surgical procedure that may cause postoperative pain. The intensity of pain experienced by patients is influenced by various factors, including psychological factors, particularly anxiety. High levels of anxiety can increase pain perception and consequently hinder the patient's recovery process. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anxiety levels and wound pain intensity among post-cesarean section patients in the Mother and Child Inpatient Ward of Bunda General Hospital, Padang. This study employed a correlational research design with a cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted in the Mother and Child Inpatient Ward of Bunda General Hospital, Padang, from February to May 2026. A total of 81 respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Anxiety levels were measured using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS), while pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with Somers' D correlation test. The results showed that the majority of respondents experienced panic-level anxiety (53 respondents; 65.4%), followed by severe anxiety (20 respondents; 24.7%), mild anxiety (4 respondents; 4.9%), no anxiety (3 respondents; 3.7%), and moderate anxiety (1 respondent; 1.2%). Regarding pain intensity, most respondents experienced moderate pain (48 respondents; 59.3%), followed by severe pain (24 respondents; 29.6%) and mild pain (9 respondents; 11.1%). The Somers' D test revealed a p-value of 0.000 (<0.05) with a correlation coefficient of 0.462, indicating a statistically significant positive relationship of moderate strength between anxiety levels and pain intensity. There was a significant relationship between anxiety levels and pain intensity among post-cesarean section patients at Bunda General Hospital, Padang. Higher anxiety levels were associated with higher pain intensity. Therefore, nurses are expected to improve assessments and interventions aimed at reducing patients' anxiety in order to help decrease pain perception during the postoperative recovery period.
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