International Journal of Nursing

Comparison of Depression and Anxiety between Housewife and Employed Pregnant Women
Eman Dawood, Farida Habib

Abstract
This study aimed to compare depression and anxiety during prenatal period between housewife and employed women, and to assess the relationship between depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Descriptive correlational cross sectional research design was used. A convenient sample of 324 pregnant women was recruited for the current study. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey that consisted of 3 parts: First part was socio-demographic data sheet developed by the researchers. Second part was Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) which was used to assess the levels of depression as perceived by the pregnant women; third part of the questionnaire survey was Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) which was utilized to assess the levels of anxiety among the study by the pregnant women. Results revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean total depression and anxiety score of housewife and employed pregnant women were employed women reported higher levels of depression and anxiety, additionally, a statistically significant positive relationship between total depression score and total anxiety score for the whole sample was confirmed. There is a need to effectively implement the three levels of prevention to reduce the expected negative consequences of depression and anxiety on the pregnant women and subsequently her newborn and her family in general.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v5n2a3