Preoperative anxiety in children is an important concern for the anesthesiologist. In our study, we aimed to determine the association between parental and patient factors with patients’ anxiety during the preoperative anesthesia visit and additionally, aimed to inform clinicians about the parents’ concerns and effects of culture.

Following the faculty ethical committee’s approval, written consent was obtained from the parents of eligible children undergoing various surgical and radiological procedures under general anesthesia. The parents were given a socio-demographic questionnaire and both the child and the parents completed the Spielberger State -Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

A total of 117 children were enrolled. The majority of children were boys (67%) and the mean age was 10.2 (years). Children had mean state anxiety scores of 47.8 ± 7.4 and mean trait anxiety scores of 33.8 ± 7. There was a significant negative correlation between child state and child trait anxiety (r=-.39, moderate strength, p<0.001). Parent’s state and trait anxiety scores had significant correlation. Poorly educated parents had significantly higher state anxiety scores (p<0.001). We did not find any statistically significant relationship between other factors and state anxiety scores of either the children or the parents. Eleven of the parents who had replied to the open ended question (n=55) asked for further information about the surgery and anesthesia to reduce anxiety level; others mainly stated that they were confident that the physicians will do their best to take care of their children.

Anxiety states are not universal. Conflicting relations between state and trait anxiety and socio-demographic factors affecting anxiety may differ in different countries and cultures.