title: Factors associated with post-natal anxiety among primiparous mothers in Nepal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Nepal, new mothers are fatigued by childcare responsibilities because of lack of knowledge and preparation for their new role. Knowledge deficit and adherence to traditional health practices place infants at risk. Some cultural practices for the care of newborns may cause tetanus, hypothermia or other life-threatening illnesses. Maternal education, previous experience of newborn care, economic status, relationship problems with husband or mothers-in-law and dissatisfaction with social relations are the variables of interest for this study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between socio-demographic variables and post-natal anxiety among primiparous mothers in Nepal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a correlational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A major maternity hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample were 216 primiparous mothers who were followed at 5-6 weeks after delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three instruments were used for data collection: a demographics questionnaire, the Newborn Care Knowledge Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mothers' knowledge of newborn care, general educational level and income were inversely related to maternal anxiety, that is, mothers with a lower educational level and socio-economic status demonstrated a higher level of post-natal anxiety. Poor relationships with husbands or mothers-in-law and low social support presented potential for the development of anxiety and depression during post-partum period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal education, socio-economic status and knowledge of newborn care were major factors of post-natal anxiety. On the other hand, women with low income and education, poor relationships with their husbands or mothers-in-law, and insufficient social support are vulnerable to the development of moderate to severe anxiety.
  Policy implications from these results indicate the need for support and funding from the Ministry of Health for education for women at hospitals, which must work together to offer newborn care education during the ante-natal and post-natal periods.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Petrini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shrestha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009390:Nepal; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Culture; Maternal Education; Nepal; Newborn Care; Post-natal Anxiety; Primapara; Socio-demographic Factors