Study Of Psychiatric Morbidity In Pregnant Females: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal depression is associated with serious adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, in addition to poor child development. Maternal-baby bonding is also affected, which can lead to mental health problems both in the mother and child. Early identification and treatment can improve perinatal outcomes.
Objective: To study the presence of psychiatric morbidity among antenatal patients presenting at the obstetric out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital in South Kashmir.
Study design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was used and conducted over a period of five months. Two hundred and ninety-two patients were included in the study. Patients were assessed using a semi-structured preform a and diagnosed by ICD-10 diagnostic criteria.
Results: We found that majority of the patients were pregnant females in the third and fourth decades of life, unemployed, with minimal education, and had minimal to fair social support. The most common psychiatric morbidity was depression followed by anxiety disorders.
Conclusion: Due to the adverse consequences of antenatal psychiatric illnesses, it is crucial to emphasize on early detection and treatment of these illnesses among pregnant women.