Prevalence of Anxiety Among Pregnant Women in Their Third Trimester in Selected Clinics in Embakasi West, Nairobi, kenya

Abstract

Pregnancy is often a time of high expectancy to the woman who is bearing a child through the uncertainties specific to pregnancy concerns, such as worries about the health of the baby and childbirth. The main objective was the prevalence of anxiety in pregnant women in their third trimester in a Nairobi, Kenya. Objectives of the study were to determine the characteristics of pregnant women in their third trimester, examine risk factors associated with pregnancy-related anxiety and to establish prevalence of pregnancy related anxiety in the third trimester. A cross-sectional quantitative study carried out in Embakasi West in Nairobi County. A total number of 174 pregnant women participated in the study, of the women who participated in the study 20 to 30 years 67.3% (118). 29.9 % (52) were pregnant for the first time while 47.1% (82) were unemployed. A total of 42.5% (74) recorded that it was very relevant to be anxious about delivery. Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQ-R/R2) results showed that mean a of 3 indicating “sometime relevant” on fear of giving birth, while a mean of 2 “Hardly relevant” representing those who worry about bearing a handicapped child and an average of mean of 2 referring to “Hardly relevant” concerns about personal appearance. Correlation was done with the dependable variable Anxiety in pregnancy and characteristics associated with pregnant women as independent factors. There was a significant correlation between marital status of r= 0.071, p =0.35 and level of education r= 0.082 p=0.284 and anxiety in pregnancy. There was prevalence of anxiety in pregnant women in their third trimester in Nairobi County. The study recommends creation of awareness on pregnancy related anxiety, development of short and clear communication in antenatal clinics.