1. Anxiety, depression and stress among the husbands of obstetric cases at Karachi.
- Author
-
Afridi MI and Mashhood A
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, India, Male, Pregnancy, Prospective Studies, Socioeconomic Factors, Anxiety epidemiology, Depression epidemiology, Family Health, Pregnancy Complications, Spouses, Stress, Psychological epidemiology
- Abstract
Objective: To determine the level of Anxiety, Depression and Stress among the Husbands of Obstetric Cases., Subjects and Methods: This hospital-based prospective study was conducted at Karachi, during the year 1998. A semi-structured proforma along with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD) and Life Events Scale were administered to the consenting spouses of obstetric cases., Results: Only 23% of lower socio-economic group husbands accompanied their wives to the hospital compared to 70% of the higher socio-economic group. Out of the 56% of husbands of 82 consecutive obstetric cases interviewed, 13% of those whose wives were NVD showed anxiety and depression as compared to 25% of those with Cesarean Section (C/S). Life Events Scale showed 50% of lower socio-economic group having stress compared to only 10% in higher socio-economic group., Conclusion: Contrary to the West, where majority of the Obstetric cases are accompanied by their spouses, in our study only 23% of the cases had their husbands present within the obstetric facility. There is a need of such a study, based on a larger sample in order to address this critical period/issue, considering the concept of 'paternity leaves'. Surprisingly, majority of husbands did not have Anxiety or Depression during the Obstetric period (a critical period needing appropriate attention) of their wives.
- Published
- 1999