A biomechanical perspective on KAP characterization and intervention strategies for anxiety in pregnancy

In order to explore the biomechanical interactions between postural adaptation in pregnant women and the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) model of prenatal anxiety in Southwest China, this cross-sectional study integrated psychometric assessments with kinematic analysis and conducted a survey among pregnant women in Nanchong between September and November 2022. A web-based questionnaire was employed to collect data on demographic characteristics, biomechanical features, prenatal anxiety KAP scores, and anxiety status. A total of 515 valid questionnaires were recovered, and 120 women (23.30%) had anxiety. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 5.59 ± 2.73 (possible range: 0–9), 33.59 ± 4.36 (possible range: 10–50), and 21.85 ± 3.77 (possible range: 6–30). College or above education (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.88–7.13, P < 0.001) and planned pregnancy (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37–0.99, P = 0.046) were independently associated with better knowledge. Without a history of adverse pregnancy (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95, P = 0.029) and freelancer (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26–0.80, P = 0.007) were independently associated with a favorable attitude. The knowledge (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.01–2.89, P = 0.047) and attitude (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33–0.89, P = 0.016) were independently associated with anxiety. Pregnant women had a moderate KAP toward prenatal anxiety. It is recommended to learn about it and applying biomechanical knowledge to positive practices may help prevent prenatal anxiety.