Post-traumatic Stress Disorder amongst Internally Displaced Pregnant Females

Abstract

Aims: The study was aimed to assess the association of post-traumatic stress disorder with pregnancy and birth outcomes amongst pregnant females internally displaced from the south-east of Ukraine. Study Design:  Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at City Maternity Hospital № 2 in Odessa (Ukraine), during 2014-2015. Methodology: There were 83 women observed in the 36-40 weeks of gestation including 23 internally displaced pregnant women who previously lived in the zone of war conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine. Individual interviews were used among pregnant women and followed by analysis of the course of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn state. Results: Post-traumatic stress disorder frequency is 34,8% for internally displaced females and the anxiety level is significantly higher (44.1±0.9 scores on PA scale and 45.4±0.9 scores on RA scale) among females from the war conflict zone than among other pregnants. The frequency of pregnancy and birth complications is strogly associated with the psycho-emotional state of pregnant female. Thus 47.8% of internally displaced females had the threat of pregnancy termination and 73.9 – risk of premature birth. 56.5% of them had anemia of I-II degree of severity and 21.7% - mild preeclampsia in the second half of pregnancy Conclusion: The study of the role and impact of psycho-emotional status is of particular importance in assessing the prognosis of pregnant women at risk, which certainly includes women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.