Antenatal Anxiety Among Pregnant Women Attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto State

Pregnancy is one of the most significant experiences in a woman’s life, but it often brings psychological challenges such as mood swings, exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional disorders. This study explored the prevalence, impact, and risk factors associated with antenatal anxiety among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional design was employed using systematic random sampling. A total of 150 structured questionnaires were distributed, and 144 were completed and returned. Findings revealed that 49.3% agreed and 27.1% strongly agreed experiencing worry or anxiety during pregnancy, highlighting the need for targeted support and interventions from healthcare providers. The perceived impacts reported were reduced enjoyment of activities (29.2%), irritability, feelings of deterchment (15.3% often and 6.9% always), panic attacks (31.9%), and poor concentration (18.1% often and 16% always). Previous anxiety or depression (36.8%), lack of social support (6.3%) and concerns about fetal health (31.3% agreed and 27.1% strongly agreed) emerged as major risk factors. The study underscores the importance of addressing antenatal anxiety and implementing effective strategies to promote the psychological well-being of pregnant women in Sokoto