Prevalence and Associated Factors of Antenatal Anxiety Symptoms in Bangladesh: A Repeated Measures Cluster Data Analysis

Abstract

Background: Antenatal Anxiety affects the mothers and their child. Spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight are the most common consequences. In Bangladesh, we have very limited understanding about the burden of antenatal anxiety and its associated factors. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study to estimate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and identify associated factors in pregnant women.

Subjects and methods: A total of 1360 pregnant women were enrolled from 14 antenatal care (ANC) hospitals during September 2015 to August 2017. All selected women were assessed longitudinally at first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) scale was used to measure the antenatal anxiety symptom. Generalize estimating equations (GEE) and alternating logistic regression (ALR) model were used to measure the risk factors and repetitive anxiety symptom measurements, respectively.

Results: Over the study period, more than half (53.18%) of the women reported anxiety in at least one antenatal assessment. The prevalence of anxiety symptom in the first, second, and third trimesters was 29.5%, 23.5%, and 37.5%, respectively. Maternal anxiousness was significantly associated with the trimester, poor education, low blood hemoglobin, and low family income.

Conclusion: Women were at high risk of getting anxious during first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Findings of the study can be useful in developing and designing intervention to reduce anxiety in women during pregnancy.