https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8163-4376
Abstract
Background
Anxiety disorders in pregnancy are common and represent a global concern. However, data regarding the magnitude of anxiety among pregnant women in Uganda are limited, and yet, these data could pave way for implementing effective mitigation measures. We determined the prevalence of anxiety disorders and associated factors among pregnant women at Mulago Hospital Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at Mulago Hospital between September and November 2015. Systematic sampling was used to enroll eligible women. An interviewer-administered demographic questionnaire and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale for Antenatal Anxiety (HAMA-A) scale were used to assess demographic features and anxiety, respectively. Women with HAMA-A score ≥17 were considered to have anxiety disorder. Factors associated with anxiety disorders were determined using multivariate logistic regression.
Results
A total of 501 pregnant women were enrolled into the study; the prevalence of anxiety disorders was 13% (n=65; 95% CI: 9.8–15.7%). Factors that were significantly associated with anxiety disorders were low income of the participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.65, 95% CI: 1.16–6.06), bad relationship with spouse (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.01–5.82) and history of hypertension in previous pregnancy (AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.68–10.37).
Conclusion
Approximately one in ten women surveyed exhibited anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders were associated with low-income levels, bad spousal relationships, and a history of hypertension during previous pregnancies. Multidisciplinary approaches that integrate mental health support, social services, and partner involvement may help address anxiety disorders in pregnancy and contribute to improved maternal and child outcomes.
Abbreviations
ANC, Antenatal care; AOR, Adjusted odds ratio, CI, Confidence interval; DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; HAMA-A, Hamilton anxiety rating scale; OR, Odds ratio.
Acknowledgments
We appreciate the research assistants who collected the data. We would like also to express our thanks to the pregnant women at Mulago Hospital who participated in this study for generously giving their time to the interviews.
Author Contributions
Each of the authors (MN, NN, CK, RM, and AN) significantly contributed to the study’s conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. They all participated in both the initial drafting and subsequent critical revisions of the article to ensure its important intellectual content. They collectively consented to submit the manuscript to the present journal, provided their final approval for the publication version, and committed to being responsible for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors declare no conflict of interest with regard to publication of this work.