Abstract:

Background: Till date studies on postpartum anxiety are few, while the prevalence and correlating data about postpartum depression are well established, far less is known about postpartum anxiety.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of postpartum anxiety and the related risk factors for the women delivered at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was among women who gave birth at BMC from August 2020 to December 2020, Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7(GAD-7) scale was used to measure anxiety and its severity.

Results: A total of 386 respondents participated in the study. The prevalence of anxiety among women delivered at BMC was found to be 37.31%. Anxiety was found to be more likely in women who delivered by caesarian section, lower birth weight, had complications of birth, lack partner support and in those experience partner violence.

Conclusion: Postpartum anxiety is high prevalent among delivered at Bugando Medical Centre. This signifies the importance of inclusion of mental maternal health care as a new package in internal and postnatal services for the betterment of the mother, newborn and the society as whole.

Recommendation: Maternal mental health should be included amongst markers of safe pregnancy and delivery, also emphasis should be on the importance of early screening and detection of those who are at risk, as well as early intervention towards reduction of the burden of morbidly and essential disability to both mother and child and society at large.