Saima Niaz, Nasir Izhar, Mohammad Riaz Bhatti.
Anxiety and Depression in pregnant women presenting in the OPD of a Teaching Hospital.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;20(2):117-20.

Objective: Recent research has shown that psychiatric disorders are more common during pregnancy. This study was done to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy in females presenting in the antenatal clinic. The study also tried to find out risk factors associated with anxiety and depression in pregnancy in the above-mentioned population. Design: This was a descriptive survey of 200 outpatients. Place and duration of study: This study was done in the outpatient`s department of Lady Atchison Hospital, Lahore. The study was done from May 2001 to October 2001. Subjects and methods: Study sample consisted of 200 consecutive outpatients presenting in the antenatal clinic. Pregnant women who agreed to be interviewed were included in the study. Demographic details were noted. PSE was used as an interviewing instrument and ICD-10 was used as diagnostic criteria. Results: According to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria 34.5% of females were suffering from anxiety and 25% were suffering from depression. Young age, loss of parent during childhood, past history of psychiatric illness, family history of psychiatric illness was identified as possible risk factors to develop anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: Prevalence of anxiety and depression was similar to many studies reported from the West. Pregnant females with possible risk factors should be specially screened for anxiety and depression. Locally prepared and validated instruments need to be developed for use in Pakistan.

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