Abstract

ALIANE, Poliana Patrício et al. Mental health assessment of pregnant women. Gerais, Rev. Interinst. Psicol. [online]. 2008, vol.1, n.2, pp. 113-122. ISSN 1983-8220.

The pregnancy and puerperium period is a phase of increased incidence of mental disorders in women, requiring special attention to ensure the maintenance of their well-being and prevention of future cognitive and emotional difficulties for their child. The present research aimed at verifying, through a pilot study, the incidence of psychiatric symptoms and alcohol use among pregnant women attending the public health system of Juiz de Fora, MG. 33 pregnant women of 3 health units had been interviewed using the instruments QMPA and MINI/DSM-IV. It was verified that 54.5% of the women interviewed presented seven or more psychiatric symptoms described in the QMPA, with a prominence of the anxiety subscale. Amongst the results of the MINI/DSM-IV, the high incidence of current Agoraphobia can be highlighted (37.7%), Agoraphobia without Panic Disorder (33.3%), Psychotic Syndrome (25.0%), Bigger Depressive Episode Current (24.2%) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (15.2%). The high incidence of psychiatric disorders found indicated the necessity of detailed clinical inquiries for the evaluation of the mental health of pregnant women and possible referal for treatment. The pilot study constitutes an important stage of the research, since the preliminary results, as well as the initial methodological difficulties, will ensure the improvement of the final study.

Keywords : Pregnancy; Alcoholism; Psychiatric Symptoms.

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