The Pregnant Woman's Mental Health is at Risk Due to Certain Factors: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health during pregnancy is an important aspect of maternal and fetal well-being. Various factors can influence this condition, including the employment status and parity of the pregnant mother. Aims: This study aimed to understand the factors related to the mental health of pregnant women. Study Design:  This study uses a cross-sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: Conducted from October 2024 to March 2025. The study population was all pregnant women in the Public Health Center. Methodology: A sample of 303 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were selected through multistage random sampling. The instrument used was the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) 20 for ages 18 and above. The data collection and data processing processes were carried out by researchers and enumerator teams. The analysis using the Crude Odds Ratio bivariate test and multivariate analysis with Adjusted Odd Ratio. Results: The results showed that age (p=0.698), education (p=0.836), gestational age (p=0.167), and income (p=0.967) were not significantly related to maternal mental health. However, employment status (p=0.000) and parity (p=0.039) had a significant relationship. Multivariate analysis revealed that employment status was the most influential factor on maternal mental health (p=0.000; AOR=2.692; 95% CI: 1.545–4.473). The threshold of measurement at p< .05. Conclusion: Employment status and parity are significantly associated with maternal mental health. Employment status factors have the strongest influence on maternal mental health. Pregnant women who do not work have almost three times the risk of experiencing mental health disorders compared to those who work. This finding emphasizes the importance of attention to employment status and parity in efforts to improve maternal mental health.