Risk factors for depression and anxiety among pregnant women in Hospital Tuanku Bainun, Ipoh, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Balakrishnan, K. (Author), Das, S. (Author), Fadzil, A. (Author), Japaraj, R.P (Author), Malapan, T. (Author), Manaf, M.R.A (Author), Midin, M. (Author), Nik Jaafar, N.R (Author), Razali, R. (Author), Sidi, H. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adult; Adult; agoraphobia; antenatal anxiety; Antenatal anxiety; Anxiety; anxiety disorder; article; comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; cross-sectional study; demography; depression; Depression; female; Female; gestational age; Gravidity; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; human; Humans; Interview, Psychological; major clinical study; Malaysia; Marital Status; marriage; medical history; mental disease; Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; miscellaneous named groups; panic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; pregnancy disorder; pregnant woman; prenatal period; prevalence; Prevalence; priority journal; puerperal depression; Risk; risk factor; Risk factor; social status; Socioeconomic Factors; unplanned pregnancy
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 Introduction: Anxiety and depression are prevalent during pregnancy. Estimates of the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy vary according to the criteria used, variable methodologies and population characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 175 antenatal mothers participated. Their socio-demographic and obstetric histories were recorded. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) were used. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders among antenatal mothers using diagnostic clinical interview were 9.1% and 8.6%, respectively. Factors associated with antenatal anxiety were marital status (being unmarried), positive history of mental illness, gestational age (<20 weeks), unplanned pregnancy and depressive comorbidity. However, only gestational age of less than 20 weeks and depressive disorder remained significant factors in the multivariate analysis. Discussion: The prevalence rate of antenatal depression detected by HADS screening was comparable to the rate from diagnostic interview, but there was a slight overestimation for antenatal anxiety. Nonetheless, HADS as a screening tool offers a practical solution for detecting these two conditions in a busy antenatal clinic or a large epidemiological survey. In view of the deleterious effects of antenatal anxiety and depression on mothers and children, these two conditions should be screened and managed appropriately. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.