Introduction
Perinatal Anxiety (PrA) is associated with adverse outcomes in both mothers and infants, and PrA represents a significant burden in low-middle income countries (LMIC) such as Ghana. However, most studies conducted thus far to evaluate PrA in LMIC have utilized scales developed in wealthier countries, despite significant variations in pregnancy-related anxiety due to socioeconomic and cultural context. This scoping review intends to evaluate existing literature to determine which pregnancy-related anxiety scales have been used in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods
PubMed, Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HaPI), and APA PsycNet were searched systematically for relevant studies in the English language. Eligible studies (1) screened for anxiety; (2) examined anxiety specifically in pregnant people; (3) were conducted in Sub Saharan Africa; and (4) specified a validated measurement or scale used to evaluate pregnancy related anxiety. Articles were evaluated blindly by three researchers for inclusion in two stages: An abstract and title review, followed by a full text review. Screening tools and evaluation of validity were extracted for each study, as well as region, country, clinical population, and number of participants.
Results
Of the 271 articles screened for inclusion, 37 full-text articles were included in the final paper. These articles yielded 25 different screening tools used to evaluate PrA in Sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequent location for the study administration was South Africa (11 studies), with Tanzania (5 studies), Ethiopia (5 studies), Nigeria (4 studies), and Ghana (4 studies) being other common study locations. The most used tools to evaluate PrA in Sub-Saharan Africa were the GAD-7 (8 studies), STAI (6 studies), SRQ-20 (5 studies), and EPDS (5 studies).
Conclusion
This scoping review sheds light on the current state of research on PrA in Sub-Saharan Africa. There remains a significant need for further investigation into the impact of pregnancy on mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa. This review emphasizes the importance of developing and validating scales that consider the local contexts and challenges faced by pregnant people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing these gaps will contribute to the development of improved interventions for PrA in Sub-Saharan Africa, ultimately improving the mental health outcomes of pregnant women in these regions.