Depression and anxiety among antenatal and postnatal mothers: A community-based cross-sectional study

Objectives: Emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect maternal well-being and fetal health. Women experiencing psychological distress during pregnancy often show poor compliance with antenatal advice and irregular follow-up. This study assessed anxiety and depressive symptoms among antenatal and postnatal mothers using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire scales and compared mental health profiles between the groups. Material and Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months (October 2021–April 2022) in the rural field practice area of a primary health center under the Department of Community Medicine. Based on previous evidence, 180 participants were enrolled. Data were gathered using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study. Data entry was carried out in Epi Info 7 and analysis in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 21. Logistic regression was applied to explore associations. Results: Mild depressive symptoms predominated among antenatal mothers, while most postnatal women showed no depressive symptoms. Depression levels differed significantly between the two groups ( p = 0.001). Conclusion: Incorporating mental health screening into routine antenatal care is essential for early detection of psychological morbidity. Strengthening community-level awareness can help reduce the burden of maternal depression.