Anxiety and Depression Among Pregnant Women in Plain and Plateaus Areas: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Perinatal anxiety and depression can severely damage both maternal and infant’s health and result in negative effects. In this study, we investigated the current state of anxiety and depression among pregnant women in Tibet and Guangzhou and identified its risk factors, which would provide guidance for clinical daily work. Methods: : From September 2018 to May 2019, 169 pregnant women in Tibet and 199 of them in Guangzhou were selected. Zung's Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess the degree of anxiety and depression, respectively. All the data were collected by the questionnaire. Results: : The SAS and SDS scores in Guangzhou were 42.4±8.5 and 48.0±9.5 respectively, while the same score became 46.6±8.0 and 54.7±8.9 in Tibet. Scores of pregnant women in Tibet were significantly higher than in Guangzhou (P < 0.05). Trimester, nationality, delivery times and educational experience were considered to be influence factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women. Conclusions: : Pregnant women living in plateaus areas of China have higher SAS and SDS scores than in plain areas, especially for those with a low level of educational experience. More attention should be paid in future work.