Social and Environmental Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Pregnancy Toxemy

Abstract

Toxemia gravidarum is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria and can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a disorder that arises after exposure to severe trauma. The study aimed to verify the association between pregnancy toxemia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. This is a cross-sectional analytical study using socio-demographic questionnaires and post-traumatic stress, in 82 women at UBS and Maternity Hospital in São Luís (MA) in 2018. Data analyzed in STATA 14.0 (USA); qualitative variables presented by absolute and percentage frequencies; qualitative and nominal categorical variables, the Chi-square was performed with a significance level ≤ 0.05. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was 51.21. First pregnancy range 18-21 years (69.05%); 1-3 pregnancies (76.19%); elementary education (61.36%); brown (63.64%); consensual union (50%); catholic (61.36%); renumbered activity (38.10%); alcoholism in pregnancy (9.52%); smoking (9.52%); hypertension (24.39%); diabetes (6.10%). Perceived Stress Scale, there was statistical significance for PTSD: first pregnancy 18-22 years old, moderate predominance (p≤0.01); previous alcoholism, severe predominance (p = 0.05); hypertension in current pregnancy, severe predominance (p≤0.01). The increased prevalence of this disorder in pregnancy and after birth reiterates the need for perinatal screening in order to provide early treatment, ensure psychological well-being, prevent chronicity and improve quality of life.