Prevalence of Stress and Its Associated Factors among Antenatal Mothers in Rural Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to challenges, and during pregnancy, it can have adverse effects

on both mothers and their infants. Pregnancy-related stress may lead to complications such as preeclampsia,

gestational diabetes, and low birth weight, impacting foetal development. Gaining insights into how common

stress is among pregnant women and identifying contributing factors is essential to enhancing the well-being of

both mothers and their babies.

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of stress and identify the factors associated with antenatal stress among

pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital in rural Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to June 2023. Data were collected from 195 pregnant women

using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a structured questionnaire on demographic, obstetric, and psychosocial

factors. Statistical evaluation was carried out using chi-square analysis along with logistic regression methods.

Results

Results indicated that 63.07% of the participants reported low levels of stress, while 24.10% experienced moderate

stress, and 12.82% were classified as having high stress. Key factors associated with higher stress levels included

lower socio-economic status, previous abortion, marital and family conflicts, and suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of antenatal women experienced moderate to high levels of stress, with socio-economic

challenges, marital issues, and previous abortion being major contributing factors. The outcomes highlight the

importance of implementing focused strategies to reduce stress and enhance care during pregnancy.