Impact of prenatal anxiety on pregnancy outcome among women in Baghdad teaching hospitals.

BACKGROUND

Maternal psychological health is considered an important subject worldwide. Various studies have indicated that prenatal psychological health problems are a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, as well as affecting both maternal and fetal well-being. This study aims to identify the impact of prenatal anxiety on pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study design, utilizing a non-probability purposive sample of 300 primigravida women's data was obtained by distributing a structured, self-reported questionnaire that consisted of four parts, which included demographic data, reproductive data, a generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale, and a pregnancy outcome. This study was performed from January 2023 to March 2024. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures through SPSS version 26. The probability significance at a value of ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

More than half (53%) of them have moderate anxiety. Nearly two-thirds (61.7%) of women have a cesarean birth, and just one-third (30%) of them have a low birth weight. There were no statistically significant differences between prenatal anxiety and adverse pregnancy outcomes. While there was a significant association between women's age and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that most of the study participants have mild to moderate anxiety. There were no statistically significant differences between prenatal anxiety and adverse pregnancy outcomes.