Age-related anxiety and self-assessment of perinatal depression risk: A web-based study

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the relationship between pre- and postpartum anxiety and self-assessment of perinatal depression (PD) risk in pregnant women. Methods: We recruited volunteers for an anonymous questionnaire survey using an app service for pregnant and nursing mothers (Luna Luna Baby, MTI Co Ltd) from November 19 to 30, 2018. The questionnaire consists of 30 items on anxiety during and after pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with age, occupation, history of pregnancy, and self-assessment of PD risk as explanatory variables. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata software, Version 15.0. The study was approved by the ethics committee. Results: A total of 1987 pregnant women responded. In both pregnancy and postpartum periods, women aged 19 years or younger felt the most anxious about their financial situation (17/25, 68%). Women in their 20's to 30's were the most worried about the baby’s safety (1162/1893,60.1%). Those with a higher self-estimated risk of PD tended not to list the baby’s safety as an anxiety item, but listed money, financial situation, and mother's own health as concerns. The percentage of those who worried about the baby’s safety was significantly lower in women with a self-assessed PD risk of 90% or higher. Conclusions: The causes of the anxiety in the pregnancy and postpartum periods a may be correlated with age and risk of PD. Health care providers may need to consider the possibility of PD development in pregnant women with high anxiety regarding their financial conditions, health, or raising children.