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Comorbid Anxiety and Depression among Pregnant Pakistani Women: Higher Rates, Different Vulnerability Characteristics, and the Role of Perceived Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Shahirose Sadrudin Premji

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
    Equal contribution.)

  • Sharifa Lalani

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
    Equal contribution.)

  • Kiran Shaikh

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
    Equal contribution.)

  • Ayesha Mian

    (Department of Psychiatry, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • Ntonghanwah Forcheh

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada)

  • Aliyah Dosani

    (Faculty of Health, Community and Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
    Department of Community Health Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada)

  • Nicole Letourneau

    (Faculty of Nursing and Cumming School of Medicine (Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Community Health Sciences), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Ilona S. Yim

    (Department of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA)

  • Shireen Shehzad Bhamani

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan)

  • MiGHT (Maternal-Infant Global Health Team—Collaborators in Research)

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
    Membership of MiGHT (Maternal-infant Global Health Team—Collaborators in Research) is provided in the Acknowledgments.)

Abstract

Anxiety and depression commonly co-occur during pregnancy and may increase risk of poor birth outcomes including preterm birth and low birth weight. Our understanding of rates, patterns, and predictors of comorbid anxiety and depression is hindered given the dearth of literature, particularly in low- and middle-income (LMI) countries. The aim of this study is (1) to explore the prevalence and patterns of comorbid antenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms in the mild-to-severe and moderate-to-severe categories among women in a LMI country like Pakistan and (2) to understand the risk factors for comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms. Using a prospective cohort design, a diverse sample of 300 pregnant women from four centers of Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children in Pakistan were enrolled in the study. Comorbid anxiety and depression during pregnancy were high and numerous factors predicted increased likelihood of comorbidity, including: (1) High level of perceived stress at any time point, (2) having 3 or more previous children, and (3) having one or more adverse childhood experiences. These risks were increased if the husband was employed in the private sector. Early identification and treatment of mental health comorbidities may contribute to decreased adverse birth outcomes in LMI countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Shahirose Sadrudin Premji & Sharifa Lalani & Kiran Shaikh & Ayesha Mian & Ntonghanwah Forcheh & Aliyah Dosani & Nicole Letourneau & Ilona S. Yim & Shireen Shehzad Bhamani & MiGHT (Maternal-Infant Glob, 2020. "Comorbid Anxiety and Depression among Pregnant Pakistani Women: Higher Rates, Different Vulnerability Characteristics, and the Role of Perceived Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7295-:d:424236
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pauline Samia & Shahirose Premji & Farideh Tavangar & Ilona S. Yim & Sikolia Wanyonyi & Mohamoud Merali & Wangira Musana & Geoffrey Omuse & Ntonghanwah Forcheh & Aliyah Dosani & Nicole Letourneau & MI, 2020. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Changing Levels of Psychosocial Distress Scores across Pregnancy in Kenyan Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aziza Alsawafi & Akbar Fotouhi & Samir AlAdawi & Sanjay Jaju & Mohammad Al Qadire & Zeinab Al Azri, 2025. "Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and its association with mental health outcomes: Cross sectional study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 71(4), pages 715-722, June.

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