Early anxiety screening and targeted support are vital for young pregnant women to ensure maternal and child well-being.
Antenatal anxiety (AA) is a mental health condition marked by persistent worry, fear, and apprehension during pregnancy. It is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where socio-economic challenges, limited access to healthcare, and reduced social support may exacerbate the condition. (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Prevalence and risk factors for antenatal anxiety in the first trimester among Chinese pregnant women
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Highlighting the Critical First Trimester in Antenatal Anxiety Research
While previous research has highlighted general risk factors for AA—such as low economic status, lack of family or community support, and unplanned pregnancies—there has been limited focus on the critical first trimester of pregnancy, a period marked by significant physical and emotional changes.
Addressing this gap, a recent large-scale study published in General Psychiatry investigated the prevalence of antenatal anxiety specifically during the first trimester and identified the key risk factors affecting women in this early stage of pregnancy.
The study provides new insights into the demographic, social, and lifestyle factors that may predispose first-trimester pregnant women to elevated anxiety, helping inform early screening and intervention strategies.
Based on a retrospective analysis of perinatal mental health screening data from Shenzhen Baoan Women’s and Children’s Hospital between January 2020 and January 2024, this study included 42,013 pregnant women under 14 weeks of gestation after excluding those with major physical or mental disorders. All data were collected using self-designed questionnaires.
This study represents the first large-scale investigation focusing specifically on AA during the first trimester, identifying the prevalence and multiple risk factors across sociodemographic, obstetric, lifestyle, and family support dimensions.
Identifying Vulnerability: Key Risk Factors for Antenatal Anxiety in the First Trimester
Specifically, among 42,013 first-trimester pregnant women, 2.54% experienced AA, with univariable and multivariable analyses identifying key risk factors including age under 25, temporary residency, lower education, economic hardship, primiparity, unplanned pregnancy, smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, poorer living conditions, lower marital satisfaction, and reluctance to share personal concerns.
“Among various risk factors, changing poor lifestyle habits is the simplest and most effective,” the authors noted, “Therefore, we recommend that pregnant women maintain healthy lifestyle habits, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol and engage in regular exercise.”
Overall, the findings underscore the importance of early anxiety screening and targeted support, particularly for young, primiparous, and socioeconomically vulnerable women, including temporary residents.
Improving health education, promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening marital support, and fostering multisectoral collaboration among hospitals, communities, and families are essential to mitigate antenatal anxiety and improve maternal and child outcomes.
References:
- Prevalence and risk factors for antenatal anxiety in the first trimester among Chinese pregnant women – (https://gpsych.bmj.com/content/38/4/e102008)
Source-Eurekalert