Abstract :
Background: Prenatal maternal stress, defined as stress experienced during pregnancy, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and child developmental issues. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prenatal stress and identify associated factors among pregnant women in and around Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.Materials and Methods: Conducted this longitudinal study comprising of 301 pregnant women recruited from the antenatal clinic at a tertiary care teaching hospital between May 2023 and April 2024. Universal sampling was employed, whereby all eligible women attending the clinic during the study period were recruited. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic and obstetric details. Stress levels were measured using the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Perceived Prenatal Maternal Stress Scale (PPNMSS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, with ANOVA used to examine associations.Results: According to the PSS-10, 55.5% of participants experienced moderate stress, 43.2% low stress, and 1.3% high stress. The PPNMSS revealed 12.9% with high stress, 37.9% moderate stress, and 49.2% low stress. A significant correlation was found between stressful life events and perceived stress levels (p < 0.05). No significant association was observed between stress levels and variables such as mean annual income.Conclusion: A substantial proportion of pregnant women experienced moderate to high stress, primarily influenced by stressful life events. Integrating routine stress screening into antenatal care and offering targeted psychosocial support may enhance maternal well-being and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Keyword :
Prenatal maternal stress, Pregnancy, Perceived stress scale, Maternal mental health.