Perceived Stress and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Western Ethiopia: Community Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2021

Background: Ethiopian health care guidelines did not include antenatal perceived stress as a component of routine antenatal care, and this results in under-diagnosis of antenatal perceived stress during routine antenatal care follow-up. As a result, the purpose of this study to assess the prevalence of perceived stress and associated factors among pregnant women in the western Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 451 pregnant women in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. From September 20, 2021, to October 19, 2021, Pregnant women were recruited using cluster sampling techniques. Data was collected by using a standardized questionnaire that had been pre-tested. The data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 26. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify significantly associated factors. Result: The prevalence of perceived stress during pregnancy was 21.2% at 95% CI (20.1,23). Unplanned pregnancies (AOR: 5.43; CI 2.61-10.77), early ANC booking (AOR: 3.02 CI; 1.66-5.48) and obstetric complications during the current and previous pregnancies (AOR: 3.53CI; 1.9- 6.56) were significantly associated with perceived stress. Conclusion: The prevalence of perceived stress during pregnancy was higher, indicating a need to screen perceived stress and its predictors in routine antenatal care. Strengthening the counseling service and increasing access and availability of modern contraceptive methods may reduce the rates of unplanned pregnancies. This, in turn, plays a significant role in alleviating perceived stress in Ethiopia.