Correlation between levels of anxiety and self-esteem in high-risk pregnant women

Objective: To correlate the levels of anxiety and self-esteem in high-risk pregnant women and their respective obstetric data. Methods and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with an instrument of data descriptive-type quantitative approach. The study population consisted of 126 pregnant women referred to the high-risk unit of Agamenon Magalhães Hospital (HAM), in the period from April to June 2016. The sample included pregnant women aged over 18 years, met by high-risk care services, and excluded puerperas, pregnant women with some previous mental disorder and/or with hearing disabilities who could not read. Data collection occurred through the application of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), as well as a questionnaire with obstetric data. Data were analyzed through inferential analysis using Pearson Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, in case the Chi-square test could not be used, presenting the results in tables. Results: We observed that anxiety was present in 60.7% of the participants; and poor self-esteem occurred in 72.3% of pregnant women, being more frequent in the third trimester. Conclusions: Anxiety and low self-esteem were frequent in high-risk pregnancy. The knowledge of factors associated with its occurrence favors the development of preventive measures in prenatal care.