Factors Associated with Stress and Anxiety among Pregnant Women Attending at Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan

Pregnancy is a period of great joy, also great stress to women both physically and mentally. Even in healthy women pregnancy may give rise to much anxiety because of anticipated uncertainty associated with it. This study was conducted to identify the factors associated with stress and anxiety among pregnant women, attending at Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used from 380 pregnant women attending at antenatal outpatient department (OPD). Data was collected by using non probability purposive sampling technique. A semi structured interview schedule and modified standardized tools was developed by Janet F. Wang and Western Australian Department of Health�s. Chi square and spearman correlation was used to determine the association and relationship between stress and anxiety level. The study findings revealed that 32.6 % had severe, 33.9 % moderate and 33.4 % Eustress (normal stress) level of stress. The significant influencing factors for the level of stress on pregnant women were husband support (p=0.04). Similarly 74.2 % had minimal, 23.4 % mild to moderate and 2.4 % respondents have severe level of anxiety. The significant influencing factors for the level of anxiety in pregnant women were family income (p=0.03) and family support (p-0.03). There was statistically significant of average positive correlation between stress and anxiety (r=0.605, p=0.001) among pregnant women. Findings showed that those pregnant mother presence of higher stress which reflects the higher anxiety among those mothers.