Abstract:

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

Aim: This study aimed to describe population prevalence of anxiety and the related risk factors for pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methodology: The method used was the population-based survey of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at BMC in 2020, questionnaires were used and anxiety was measured using GAD (Generalized Anxiety and Depression).

Results: Prevalence of anxiety disorder among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at BMC was found to be 36.58%. Anxiety was found to be less likely in women with higher education level, higher level of income, have planned for the pregnancy and having partner support, while it was more likely to women experiencing partner violence.

Conclusion: Government should establish a program of screening all pregnant women during their routine antenatal clinic visit, to be able to identify women at risk of anxiety disorder. This will help to minimize the disabilities that are likely to occur to both mother and child, also to improve the goal of safe motherhood.