Assessment of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression: A Cross-sectional Study in a Peripheral Military Hospital in Bangladesh

Introduction: Perinatal anxiety (PNA) and perinatal depression (PND) during pregnancy is associated with several adverse maternal and child outcomes, such as postpartum depression, preterm birth, low birth weight and subsequent developmental and mental health challenges in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Ghatail among randomly selected 209 perinatal women from June 2022 to October 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire with validated and reliable tools. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 25.75 (3.97) with predominantly (53.6%) higher secondary school certificate qualified. Majority (60.3%) had <1 child and >90% availed the antenatal checkup. Among the 209 respondents, 39.2% and 36.4% had perinatal anxiety and depression respectively. Perinatal anxiety was significantly associated with family type (2= 2.96; p<0.05), no of children (2= 3.61, p<0.05), history of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (2= 4.17, p<0.05) and history of edema during pregnancy period (2= 6.01, p<0.05). perinatal depression was significantly associated with age group (2=5.67, p<0.05), religion (2=3.73, p<0.05), history of edema during pregnancy (2= 3.85, p<0.05), support from the family members (2= 2.80, p<0.05) and place of stay during pregnancy period (2=4.86, p<0.05). Conclusion: Perinatal anxiety and depression are common which needs incorporation of appropriate screening program during antenatal period.