Antenatal anxiety and depression: Frequency and correlates during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan

Mental health ailments like anxiety and depression are common during the antenatal period. Uncertainty during COVID-19 pandemic has markedly increased its prevalence in the general population. Pregnancy, being emotionally and physically exhausting, makes mothers more susceptible to developing mental disorders like anxiety and depression.

To investigate prevalence and associated risk factors of antenatal anxiety and depression among women in Karachi, Pakistan.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology during May 2020 till May 2021.

The study explored anxiety, depression, and associated factors in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary care hospital located in Karachi, Pakistan, during the COVID-19 pandemic by using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) as a screening tool.

Data was entered in SPSS version 21 for statistical analysis.

A total of 390 patients were enrolled in the study with mean age of 28.06 ± 4.52 years. Mean week of pregnancy at the time of enrolment into the study was 32.7 ± 3.1. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 46.7% and 33.1%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, polyhydramnios was a risk factor of anxiety, whereas low income and unplanned pregnancy were substantially linked to depression. Fear of visiting doctor was a common risk factor for both anxiety and depression.

In a catastrophe like the COVID-19 pandemic, attempts to address heightened anxiety during antenatal visits will undoubtedly benefit maternal and fetal mental health. As a response, strategies to manage high anxiety symptoms should be taken into consideration.