Effectiveness of psycho-educational counseling on anxiety in preeclampsia

Abstract

Introduction Preeclampsia is a serious complication during pregnancy that not only influences maternal and fetal physical health, but also has maternal mental health outcomes such as anxiety. Prenatal anxiety has negative short- and long-term effects on pre- and postpartum maternal mental health, delivery, and mental health in subsequent pregnancies. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of individual psycho-educational counseling on anxiety in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methods This was a randomized, intervention-controlled study involving two governmental hospitals in the municipality of Sirjan, Kerman, from January 30 2017 to March 31 2017. A total of 44 pregnant women with preeclampsia were assessed. The women were randomized into two groups: control (n=22) and intervention (n=22). The intervention consisted of two sessions of individual psycho-educational counseling. The level of anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) as pretest before the first session and as posttest after the second session during the hospitalization period. Results There was a significant reduction in the anxiety level after the counselling sessions in the intervention group (p<0.005). In addition, there was a slight increase in the anxiety level in the control group after the study. Conclusion According to the results, psycho-educational counseling can significantly reduce the anxiety level in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers provide this type of therapeutic intervention for pregnant women after hospitalization, in order to reduce their anxiety level and its subsequent negative outcomes. Clinical trial registration: IRCT2017082029817N3.

“We do not know how to screen and provide treatment”: A qualitative study of barriers and enablers of implementing perinatal depression health services in Ethiopia

“…As such, it has been suggested that both perceived and established barriers associated with client or service providers should be addressed to create a suitable environment for implementing and maintaining mental health continuity of care in health facilities (76,77).…”

“…Several studies have indicated that perinatal depression is both a complication (80) and/or a consequence of complications in pregnancy (81)(82)(83). Perinatal depression could be a cause of complications that signi cantly affect pregnancy outcomes (76,84,85), child development, and higher maternal risk of subsequent psychological morbidities (72,(86)(87)(88)(89). Screening and providing psychotherapy to perinatal women at higher risk of depression would not signi cantly increase the overall cost of health expenditure in the health care system, and its bene t would outweigh the cost (90)(91)(92).…”

Risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[ 1 ] What is more, maternal anxiety may lead to adverse effects of the newborns, like low birth weight, growth restriction or low APGAR score. [ 13 , 14 ]…”

COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Anxiety in Pregnant Women

“…Although the SARS-CoV-2 direct impact on perinatal complication is still unknown, the elevated anxiety level has been linked to numerous entities such as preeclampsia, depression, nausea and vomiting and possibly miscarriage and preterm labor [ 14 ]. As far as the neonatal outcome is considered, maternal anxiety may contribute to low birth weight/growth restriction and lower Apgar scores [ 15 , 16 ]. To improve the medical care provided and mitigate mental factor in pregnancy complications, psychological evaluations are of main advantage.…”