Associations between anxiety during pregnancy, sociodemographic and obstetric factors: a cross-sectional study in kaunas clinics

Abstract

Summary. Aim. To assess the associations between anxiety symptoms measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and sociodemographic and obstetric factors among pregnant women. Methods. A single-center cross-sectional study involving 80 pregnant women was conducted at the Women’s Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno klinikos. Data were collected using an anonymous structured questionnaire and the GAD-7 scale. Associations between GAD-7 scores and sociodemographic and obstetric factors were assessed using non-parametric statistical methods, with Holm adjustment for multiple comparisons. Results. The median GAD-7 score was 4.5 (interquartile range 2–8), and the mean score was 5.35 ± 3.89. Moderate or severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥10) were identified in 13 of 80 participants (16.3%; 95% confidence interval 9.7–25.8%). After Holm adjustment, no statistically significant associations were found between GAD-7 scores and the investigated sociodemographic or obstetric factors. Conclusions. Moderate or severe anxiety symptoms according to the GAD-7 were identified in approximately one in six pregnant women included in the study. No statistically significant associations were found with the investigated sociodemographic or obstetric factors. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.