Determination of the effect of anxiety level on self-care inpreeclampsic pregnancy

This study was conducted to determine the effect of anxiety levels on self-care ability in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Designed as a descriptive case-control study, this research was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of a public hospital in Istanbul between June and December 2022. A total of 300 pregnant women between the ages of 18-42 who visited the clinic were randomly selected, including 100 diagnosed with preeclampsia (case group) and 200 healthy pregnant women (control group). Research data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the "Pregnant Woman Identification Form", "Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)", and "Self-Care Ability Scale (SCAS)". Data analysis was performed using a statistical package program. The mean BAI score was found to be 17,44±11,10 in the case group and 9,94±7,66 in the control group, showing a significant difference between the groups (p<0,001). According to BAI scores, the level of anxiety in the case group was found to be 19% "low", 30% "mild", 30% "moderate", and 21% "high". In the control group, the anxiety levels were 48% "low", 33% "mild", 15% "moderate", and 4% "high". The mean SCAS score was determined to be 99,21±17,54 in the case group and 107.32±18.08 in the control group, showing a significant difference between the groups. It was found that self-care ability in pregnant women with preeclampsia was lower compared to healthy pregnant women (p<0,001). In conclusion, according to the data obtained, a negative and significant relationship was identified between the BAI score levels and SCAS scores in pregnant women with preeclampsia. It was determined that as the anxiety level in pregnant women with preeclampsia decreased, their self-care ability increased.