[Levels of maternal anxiety and their use in pediatric primary health care]

Of a total population of a pediatric office of the Zaidin South Health Care Center, all of the mothers that were frequent users (69) were chosen and compared with a random sample of normal users (82). Both groups carried out the anxiety scale STAI. Significant differences were found in that the high users have greater levels of anxiety about trait (p = 0.0003), as well as state (p = 0.000). The high levels of anxiety of trait are associated with being a house wife, having a child with a chronic illness, non maternal lactation, low levels of studies, health education and family income. Family income was the variable with the greatest association with the anxiety of trait (multiple regression). When we took into consideration the variables of predisposition, availability and ease of use, the maternal anxiety continued to have a significant influence. We point out the importance of maternal anxiety in the high frequency of pediatric health care use and we underline the modifiable characteristics of the anxiety factor, and therefore the possibility of reducing the high use of health care services addressed.