Search

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicide ideation and attempt are common among pregnant women, risk factors for completed suicide, and associated adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. It is under-recognized and has not been investigated well in low-income countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A group of 762 pregnant women who were attending the antenatal service at public hospitals in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia, selected by a systematic random sampling technique, took part in an interview. A Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to measure suicide ideation and attempt. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used for reporting the result with a p-value< 0.05 statistical significance level. Results: The prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women was 11.8% and 2.7%, respectively. Unplanned pregnancy (AOR=2.01, 95% CI=1.04– 3.88), poor social support (AOR=3.29, 95% CI=1.62– 6.68), common mental disorders (AOR=2.77, 95% CI=1.50– 5.09), and lifetime suicide ideation (AOR=4.63, 95% CI=2.63– 8.16) were factors significantly associated with suicide ideation. Social support was the only correlated factor with suicide attempt among pregnant mothers. Conclusion: The prevalence of suicide ideation and attempt among pregnant women was found to be high. Intervention strategies towards suicidal ideation and attempt should consider improving social support and antenatal related common mental disorders with a primary focus on women with unplanned pregnancy and prior history of suicide ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a disastrous effect on the health-care delivery system, of mainly pregnancy-related healthcare. In order to fill the information gap in the scientific literature and in response to the limited evidence in the country, this study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal care utilization among pregnant women attending public facilities in Northeast Ethiopia. Therefore, the result will be beneficial to design strategies for prioritizing maternal healthcare even with the COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2 to August 30, 2020 among pregnant women attending ANC services at public hospitals in Northeast Ethiopia. Thus, a total of 389 women were included in the study with a simple random sampling technique. The bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression models were employed to identify factors significantly associated with ANC utilization. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was estimated to show the strength of association. Finally, a P-value of < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of antenatal care utilization. Results: Overall, 114 (29.3%) pregnant women had fully utilized antenatal care services during the pandemic period. Mother age ≥ 35 years (AOR=11.79, 95% CI=1.18– 117.8), secondary education and above (AOR=4.74, 95% CI=1.04– 21.61), history of stillbirth before recent pregnancy (AOR=0.007, 95% CI=0.001– 0.12), interruption and diversion of services due to COVID-19 response (AOR=0.675, 95% CI=0.142– 0.742), fear of COVID-19 (AOR=0.13, 95% CI=0.06– 0.31), and lack of transport access (AOR=4.15, 95% CI=1.04– 16.54) were predictors of full antenatal care service utilization. Conclusion: Three of every ten pregnant women who attended the obstetric outpatient clinics have fully utilized the antenatal care services. Encouraging women's educational status, prioritizing maternal health services during COVID-19, and improving the quality of ANC service should be emphasized more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]