Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Midwifery, Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
2
Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences Zahedan, Iran
3
Population, Family and Spiritual Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Department of General Course, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R.Iran
4
Dept of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
10.22038/jmrh.2025.79206.2367
Abstract
Background & aim: Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression are prevalent and increase the risk of negative maternal results. Provision of a mental health training program for employees is necessary. In this regard, the current research aimed to examine the effects of midwife-led counseling according to Gamble’s approach to pregnancy-related anxiety and depression.
Methods: The present quasi-experimental research was carried out in two phases from April 4, 2023, to September 21, 2023, in Zahedan, Iran. The subjects were recruited via the multistage sampling method. In total, 60 Iranian pregnant women at gestational ages of 18-24 weeks with a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score of ≥8 were included in the study. The intervention group (n=30) received five counseling sessions according to Gamble’s approach, while the control group (n=30) was subjected only to the routine prenatal care. The HADS questionnaire was used to collect data before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-squared test, linear regression model, and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The two groups were not significantly different in terms of anxiety (P=0.9) and depression scores (P=0.2) before the intervention. However, after the intervention, the anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased in the intervention group in comparison with the control group (P<0.0001). According to post-hoc analysis, 2 months after the intervention, the levels of anxiety (P<0.007) and depression (P=0.001) were significantly lower in comparison with the pre-intervention stage.
Conclusion: Since counseling according to Gamble’s approach was effective in decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, all those who are involved in providing prenatal care should be trained to deliver mental healthcare services to pregnant women during pregnancy.
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