Analysis of the anxiety level in high risk pregnancy based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the level of anxiety in high risk pregnant women admitted in the maternity ward of the Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley (HULW) of the Federal University of Paraíba. Methods: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study of quantitative character, with a sample composed of 100 pregnant women diagnosed as high risk interned at HULW. Data collection was performed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), used to assess the level of anxiety the patient is in and the existing symptoms. For the statistical analysis, the Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman correlation tests were used, considering p<0.05. Results: it was observed that 68% of pregnant women have moderate to high anxiety, with heat, fear of the worst happening, faster heartbeat, emotional instability and nervousness listed as the most common symptoms. The presence of an anxious condition was independent of maternal age, marital status or parity, however the gestational trimester, history of abortions and length of hospital stay were identified as risk factors for anxiety. Conclusion: pregnant women with a high risk diagnosis hospitalized at HULW presented anxiety, thus identifying the need for a multiprofessional support network, such as family assistance.