Research Article: Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety Disorders Among Pregnant Women at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
Abstract:
Maternal anxiety in pregnancy refers to an excessive and distressing state of worry, fear, and apprehension experienced by pregnant women, often characterized by heightened levels of anxiety related to childbirth, concerns about the well-being of the developing fetus, and the challenges associated with impending parenthood., In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), various types of anxiety disorders are recognized, including panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders represent one of the most common mental health disorders in pregnancy; a systematic review reported an overall prevalence of clinical diagnosis ranging from .% to % for any anxiety disorder and .% to .% for generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders in pregnancy are associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes including obstetric complications, preterm births, and low birth weight;– moreover, the effect of anxiety may spill into the postpartum period, leading to potential complications. Despite this, access to quality mental health services during pregnancy and postpartum remains a challenge in low-resource settings, including sub-Saharan Africa.
Introduction:
Maternal anxiety in pregnancy refers to an excessive and distressing state of worry, fear, and apprehension experienced by pregnant women, often characterized by heightened levels of anxiety related to childbirth, concerns about the well-being of the developing fetus, and the challenges associated with impending parenthood. , In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), various types of anxiety disorders are recognized, including panic disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, post-traumatic…
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