Anxiety and depression among pregnant women attending a family health center: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The purpose of this study is to confirm the prevalence of anxiety and depression in pregnant women who are undergoing prenatal consultations at a Family Health Unit in a northeastern Brazilian municipality. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 81 pregnant women, utilizing a questionnaire that included both open-ended and closed-ended questions, as well as the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results indicated that 30 pregnant women (37%) had mild to moderate anxiety symptoms and 18 (23%) had mild to severe depression symptoms. There was statistical significance between depression and the number of people in the household (p=0.033), as well as between anxiety and depression (p<0.001). Conclusion: Considering the influence of mental illness on the pregnancy-puerperal cycle, it is critical to implement early interventions with validated tools to prevent mental/cognitive disorders and enhance pregnant women’s quality of life.