A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVELS OF ANXIETY AMONG HIGHRISK AND NON RISK PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ASRAM HOSPITAL, ELURU, ANDHRA PRADESH.

Background: Pregnancy is joyful yet challenging, and anxiety—especially in high-risk pregnancies—can compromise maternal and fetal outcomes such as pre-term labour and low birth weight. Objectives: (1) Compare anxiety levels in high-risk versus non-risk pregnant women; (2) examine the correlation of anxiety scores between groups; and (3) determine associations between anxiety and selected demographics. Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted at ASRAM Hospital, Eluru (Andhra Pradesh). Using purposive sampling, 50 antenatal mothers (25 high-risk, 25 non-risk) were assessed with the Modied Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlation were applied. Results: Among non-risk women, 72% had moderate anxiety and 12% severe anxiety, whereas 76% of high-risk women had severe and 24 % moderate anxiety. Mean (±SD) anxiety scores were 26 ± 4.1 (non-risk) and 29 ± 3.8 (high-risk), yielding a weak positive correlation between groups (r = 0.28). Anxiety was not signicantly associated with age, education, occupation, gravida, or monthly income in either group (p>0.05). Conclusion: High-risk pregnancies are linked to markedly higher anxiety levels. Routine screening and early psychological support—particularly for high-risk women—are recommended to enhance maternal mental health and pregnancy outcome