Perceived Stress and Anxiety in Women during Labour: A Case of Tamale West Hospital, Tamale, Ghana

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of intrapartum anxiety and stress, its effect on duration of labour as well as associated factors among parturient women.

Design: This study was a cross-sectional study.

Setting: This study was carried out at the Tamale West Hospital, Tamale, Ghana, from April to May 2017.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight (138) participants with a singleton pregnancy and cervical dilation of 4 cm were enrolled. Duration of labour, stress and anxiety were measured using the Friedman’s curve, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Perceived Stress Scale respectively.

Results: Among the 138 participants, the prevalence of a severe form of intrapartum anxiety and stress were 8.7% and 8.0% respectively. Analysis revealed that age, marriage duration, pre-pregnancy body mass index, height, weight, gestational age, duration of labour and parity showed significant association with stress and anxiety.

Conclusion: several factors were found to influence the occurrence of stress and anxiety among pregnant women in labour. It is essential to prevent or reduce intrapartum anxiety and stress from occurring by identifying all the high-risk women and strengthening intrapartum-related education and mental intervention.