Psychological distress during antenetal period: A case of Mbala district

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the magnitude of psychological distress in pregnant women in Mbala district. The major hypotheses were that there is a relationship between psychological distress during antenatal period pregnancy and; social status, mental health services, chronic diseases, life events and domestic violence.The study was conducted in Mbala district at five health facilities in Mbala district in Zambia. A cross sectional quantitative design was used. The study population included 50 pregnant women accessing antenatal care services at the named health facilities. Probability and non probability sampling methods were used at one health facility and four health facilities respectively. Data was analyzed using a computer programme SPSS version 16.0.Major findings of the study were that out of 50 respondents, 20 (40%) had psychological distress. The study further revealed that there was an association between domestic violence, stressful life events and psychological distress.