Psychosocial Predictors of Mental Health among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Selected Hospitals in Akwa Ibom State: Efficacy of Meditation Therapy

Globally, mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are estimated to affect about 10 – 15% of pregnant women. Given the far-reaching implications of mental health issues among pregnant women and the dearth of empirical research in this line of research in Nigeria, the present study investigated possible psychosocial predictors of Mental health among pregnant women in selected hospitals in Akwa Ibom State. In this cross-sectional survey, 389 pregnant women were interviewed using standard and psychometrically robust measures (General Health Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, Health Locus of Control Scale, Perceived Vulnerability Scale, and a sociodemographic section) to collect relevant data. Participants, pregnant women in their first trimester, were attendees of antenatal clinics at six (6) hospitals. Majority of participants (89.7%) reported poor mental health, with a mean GHQ score of 48.67± 7.53) while 10.3% obtained scores (0 – 18) indicating good mental health. Results also indicated that 90% of participants obtained scores (17.08±3.66) indicating psychological vulnerability with a mean PVS score of (Mean = 17.08±3.66). For alcohol use, 82.5% of the participants obtained scores falling under the "Likely Dependent" category (AUDIT score of 19.02±4.94), 0.5% of respondents fall within the "Low-risk" drinking range (AUDIT scores of 1–7), while none of the participants were abstainers. Alcohol use significantly predicted mental health among pregnant women F(1, 387) = 112.04, β = –0.49, p < .001), indicating an association between alcohol use and worse mental health among pregnant women. Psychological vulnerability also predicted mental health F(1, 387) = 280.76; β = -0.648, p < .001). Health locus of control predicted mental health F (1, 387) = 172.51; β = 0.56; p < .001). This implies that the more external the locus of control is, the greater the likelihood of experiencing more mental health issues. It was recommended that relevant interventions should target the identified  psychological predictors of mental health among pregnant women in Akwa Ibom State.