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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Anxiety in pregnancy: prevalence and associated factors
Mônica Maria de Jesus Silva1, Denismar Alves Nogueira2, Maria José Clapis3
1Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Programa de Enfermagem em Saúde Pública, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
Evaluating the occurrence of anxiety in pregnant women and the factors associated with its occurrence; comparing the presence of anxiety in each gestational trimester.
Method:
A descriptive, correlational cross-sectional study. Data were collected from January to May 2013 using the Hospital Anxiety Subscale and a form composed of socioeconomic characterization; gestational anamnesis; life-changing habits and events; preexisting conditions and interpersonal relationships.
Results:
A total of 209 pregnant women from a municipality in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil, participated in the study. Anxiety was present in 26.8% of the pregnant women, being more frequent in the third trimester (42.9%). Occupation (p=0.04), complications in previous pregnancies (p=0.00), history of miscarriage risk of preterm birth (p=0.05), maternal desire regarding the pregnancy (p=0.01), number of abortions (p=0.02), number of cigarettes smoked daily (p=0.00) and drug use (p=0.01) were statistically associated with the occurrence of anxiety during pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Anxiety occurred frequently during pregnancy. Understanding the factors associated with its occurrence allows for elaborating preventive measures in prenatal care.
Objetivo:
Avaliar a ocorrência da ansiedade em gestantes e os fatores associados à sua ocorrência; comparar a presença de ansiedade em cada trimestre gestacional.
MéTodo:
Estudo descritivo, correlacional, de corte transversal. A coleta de dados ocorreu de janeiro a maio de 2013, utilizou-se da Subescala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e de um formulário composto por caracterização socioeconômica; anamnese gestacional; hábitos e eventos marcantes de vida; patologias preexistentes e relacionamentos interpessoais.
Resultados:
Participaram do estudo 209 gestantes de um município do sul de Minas Gerais. A ansiedade esteve presente em 26,8% das gestantes, sendo mais frequente no terceiro trimestre (42,9%). Ocupação (p=0,04), complicações em gestações anteriores (p=0,00), histórico de abortamento/ameaça de parto prematuro (p=0,05), desejo materno em relação à gravidez (p=0,01), número de abortamentos (p=0,02), quantidade de cigarros consumidos diariamente (p=0,00) e uso de drogas (p=0,01) apresentaram associação estatisticamente significativa com a ocorrência da ansiedade na gravidez.
ConclusãO:
A ansiedade se mostrou frequente na gestação. O conhecimento dos fatores associados a sua ocorrência oportuniza a elaboração de medidas preventivas na assistência pré-natal.
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