Psychological preparation and postoperative outcomes among women undergoing scheduled cesarean sections in public referral hospitals of Donga, 2024
Klikpézo R*, Edayé BJD, Olowo I, Hounkpatin B, Agonnoude MT, Aboubakar M, Amouzoun S, Ezinmegnon MBP and Chabi A
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Preoperative psychological preparation (PP) may be associated with postoperative outcomes such as pain, depression, anxiety, and functional recovery, thereby contributing to optimal care for women undergoing cesarean section.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the maternity wards of public hospitals in the Donga department in 2024. All patients who received or did not receive psychological preparation prior to surgery and were hospitalized postoperatively were included. The quality of psychological preparation was assessed using a score based on nine criteria. Postoperative outcomes analyzed included postoperative pain (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-13), anxiety (Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, Y-A), and functional recovery. Chi-square tests, Student’s t test, and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used for statistical analyses.
Results: Among the 103 patients included (mean age 31.38 ± 12.61 years), 58.25% received psychological preparation of moderate quality. Poor psychological preparation was associated with higher VAS pain scores. A significant association was observed between the quality of psychological preparation and postoperative depression (p = 0.0001), as well as functional recovery. However, no association was found with anxiety or postoperative complications.Conclusion: The quality of psychological preparation is significantly associated with postoperative pain, depression, and functional recovery, highlighting the importance of integrating psychological preparation into surgical care
