Sociodemographic and Hematologic Correlates of Perceived Stress Among Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Pregnancy is characterized by profound hormonal, physiological, and psychosocial changes that may predispose women to psychological stress. Antenatal stress has been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, iron deficiency, and impaired infant development. Sociodemographic factors and maternal anemia have been increasingly recognized as important contributors to perceived stress during pregnancy. Objective: To determine the prevalence of perceived stress and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and anemic status among pregnant women. Methodology: This secondary analysis was conducted on data obtained from a prospective observational study carried out at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital, Bannu, from 15th May 2023 to 15th April 2024. A total of 430 pregnant women in any trimester were enrolled. Data collection included detailed sociodemographic and obstetric history, general physical examination, obstetric ultrasonography, hemoglobin estimation, and assessment of perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Results: Positive perceived stress (PSS-10 ≥20) was observed in 25% of participants. Significant associations were found between perceived stress and age, body mass index, monthly income, family system, social support, physical abuse by husband, gestational trimester, previous adverse pregnancy outcomes, history of blood transfusion, and low hemoglobin levels in the current pregnancy. Perceived stress was significantly higher among anemic women compared to non-anemic women. Conclusion: Perceived stress is common among pregnant women and is significantly associated with modifiable sociodemographic and hematologic factors. Optimizing maternal nutrition, ensuring adequate social support, preventing domestic violence, and strengthening antenatal care services may help reduce stress and improve pregnancy outcomes. Keywords: Antenatal stress, Anemia, Perceived stress, Pregnancy, PSS-10.