Anxiety and Depression among Pregnant Women in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the levels of anxiety and depression among pregnant women attending primary healthcare clinics in Gaza Strip. Method: The sample consisted of 400 pregnant women attending primary healthcare clinics in the Gaza Strip. They were interviewed using the sociodemographic scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The study showed that 33.3% of the pregnant women showed moderate and 18.5% showed severe depression. Women living in refugee camps more often reported clinical cases of depression. 14.3% of these women showed moderate and 8.8% showed severe symptoms of anxiety. Depression and anxiety symptoms were closely associated with each other. The results showed that 6.3% of women experienced co-morbid depression and anxiety. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONSThere is a need for early diagnosis of mental health problems in pregnant women attending primary health clinics through psychological screening. More programs are necessary to be included within the primary healthcare services to support psychosocially women with mental health problems. Also, the training of staff working in the clinics for early detection of mental health problems in such target group is necessary. Women with severe mental health problems should be subjected to a clear and effective transfer to more specialized psychiatric clinics for treatment.

Panic disorder during pregnancy: A scoping review

“…Instead, there were some studies investigating the prevalence of anxiety disorders in general during pregnancy. For example, the prevalence of pregnancy-related anxiety in Saudi Arabia using state-anxiety scale was 23.6% [ 21 ], in Qatar it was 26.5% [ 22 ], 11.4 % in Egypt [ 23 ], and in the Gaza Strip 4.3% of pregnant women had moderate anxiety, and 8.8% had a severe form of anxiety [ 24 ]. In Jordan, in a cross-sectional study that was conducted to study the prevalence of anxiety among pregnant women attending routine obstetric care clinics, the researchers found that among 200 participants, 32 (16.0%) women had minimal symptoms, 60 (30.0%) had mild symptoms, 66 (33.0%) had moderate symptoms, and 42 (21.0%) had severe symptoms of anxiety [ 25 ].…”

Anxiety and depression among antepartum and immediate postpartum women admitted in OBG wards of selected hospitals of Gangtok, Sikkim

“…Pregnancy has been defined as a period of well-being that has allowed women to feel biologically complete supported their emotional well-being, caused enjoyment and fulfilment, and at the same time led to a moment to stress and related changes [1] . Globally, around 10% of women during pregnancy and 13% of women after a child birth experience mental disorders, particularly depression.…”