"EVALUATING THE ROLE OF COUNSELING IN ALLEVIATING ANXIETY IN FIRST-TIME EXPECTANT MOTHERS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH"

Maneeza Aziz, Osmania Medical College
Dr PRASHANT R. KOKIWAR, Professor

"EVALUATING THE ROLE OF COUNSELING IN ALLEVIATING ANXIETY IN FIRST-TIME EXPECTANT MOTHERS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH" Background Pregnancy is a vulnerable period for developing anxiety and depression. Pregnancy-specific anxiety, reflecting fears about the baby’s health, hospital experiences, and care, can lead to adverse neuro-development outcomes including attention and cognitive issues, low birth weight, prolonged labor, preterm delivery, and increased cesarean sections. Counseling may alleviate these anxieties. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 100 pregnant women (50 in the intervention group, 50 in the control group). Women were randomly assigned to either a counseling or control group. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire and PRAQ scale. Hemoglobin levels were recorded at baseline and endline. The intervention included four counseling sessions spaced two weeks apart. Analysis was performed using SPSS 25. Results Counseling significantly reduced anxiety in the intervention group (p<0.001). Improved hemoglobin levels were associated with better mental health. Conclusion Counseling effectively reduces pregnancy anxiety, which negatively impacts both mother and fetus. Screening for mental health and providing counseling and antenatal education are recommended.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Mortality and Longevity

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