1Lecturer, Mental Health Nursing Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, Nitte University
2Associate Professor, Mental Health Nursing Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, Nitte University
Online published on 29 August, 2017.
Antenatal period is a maturational milestone in women. The physical as well as emotional changes that occur during pregnancy can lead to mood swings. Where the antenatal woman is not able to cope up with the changes and these can lead to depressive symptoms. National institute of mental health reported that 10–15% of woman have depression worldwide. International diabetes federation reported that 15% of women are diagnosed as gestational diabetes [1].
The aim of the study was to find the relationship between the blood glucose level and depressive symptoms among antenatal women.
A Cross sectional design was adopted with 100 study participants. The data was analysed by using Chi square and Fishers Exact test to assess the association and Pearson co relation was used to assess the relationship between blood glucose level and depressive symptoms.
The study results revealed that 76% of the study participants had mild depressive symptoms and 13% of them had moderate depressive symptoms. There was a weak linear negative relationship between overall depressive scores and blood glucose level among antenatal woman (r=-.381). However the fishers exact test results shows that there was a significant association between depressive symptoms and blood glucose level (p=>0.0001). The study findings conclude that there is a significant association between depressive symptoms and blood glucose level.
Antenatal period is a crucial period so it is necessary to differentiate the normal phenomenon and depressive symptoms to reduce the risk of mental disability
Blood glucose level, Depressive symptoms, gestational diabetes, and Antenatal depression
