Hospital Fear Points and Fear Levels of Children 5-10 Years Old

Aim: This study aimed to determine hospital fear points, specific aspects of the hospital experience that are particularly frightening for children, and fear levels of children 5–10 years old who are admitted to the hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study of 210 children in eastern Turkey aged 5–10 years used a Demographic Findings and Hospital Fears Form and the Child Fear Scale to collect data about the children's demographics, the opinions of the mothers about their children's fears, and the children's fears about the hospital. Results: Children in the outpatient treatment services and emergency department were afraid of blood drawing, intravenous insertion, injections (shots), and separation from their mothers. In the surgical department, in addition to painful procedures, children were most afraid of being forced to undergo the procedure, insertion of medications, being in the operating room, being awakened after surgery, and seeing the incision site. In the inpatient ward, children were most afraid of nurses and doctors entering the room. Conclusions: Children feared painful procedures, separation from their mothers, and the unknown in the hospital setting.