MAGNITUDE OF PREGNANCY-RELATED ANXIETY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT MIZAN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITY, SOUTHWEST, ETHIOPIA 2024; A MIXED STUDY METHOD

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy-related anxiety is a prevalent mental health issue primarily affecting women in low-income countries like Ethiopia; Research indicates that pregnancy specific anxiety can negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to determine the magnitude of pregnancy-related anxiety and the associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Mizan Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study supplemented with an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach was conducted among 416 pregnant women who came for antenatal care visits in a public health facility in Mizan Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia. The study used a systematic random sampling technique for a quantitative study and a purposive sampling technique for a qualitative study to select participants. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire for quantitative and an in-depth interview for qualitative studies. EpiDataV4.6 was used for data entry, and the Statistical Package for Social Science version 25 was used for data analysis. descriptive and logistic regression analyses were carried out, and significant factors were declared at a p-value of less than 0.05 with the corresponding 95% confidence interval. For qualitative data analysis, Miner Lite 1.4.1 software was used for thematic content analysis. Results: Out of 416 study participants, 404 participated in this study, yielding a response rate of 97.1 percent. The overall magnitude of pregnancy-related anxiety disorder among pregnant women in this study was 31.4% (95% CI: 26.7, 36.1). Factors that were significantly associated with pregnancy-related anxiety disorder were lower family’s income (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 3.3( 1.95, 5.57), women who have experienced intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI; 1.5, 4.17), and women who have had less than four antenatal follow-ups (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 5) at p-value <0.05. The quantitative findings were further supported by qualitative data collected from in-depth interviews with a subset of participants. Conclusion Pregnancy-related anxiety is prevalent in the study area, affecting one in three women. Factors include lower income, intimate partner violence, and fewer antenatal follow ups. Targeted interventions could improve outcomes.