Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Prenatal Common Mental Health Disorders Among Women Aged 15–49 Years in Bangladesh: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background Common mental health disorders (CMDs), comprising symptoms of anxiety and depression, during pregnancy are an important health concern since it is common and persistent, and has an unwavering impact on the pregnancy outcome. Several socio‐economic, demographic and psychological variables have been identified as predictors. Evidence on the prevalence and determinants associated with prenatal CMD is very limited in Bangladesh. This study aims to find the prevalence and associated predictors related to prenatal CMDs. Methods This study utilized cross‐sectional data originating from Demographic Heath Survey 2022 of 1172 pregnant women in Bangladesh. The frequency distribution of selected sample visualized by descriptive analysis as well as a bivariate analysis was performed to assess the percentage distribution of sample by prenatal CMDs. Finally, adjusted and unadjusted associations were measured between prenatal CMDs and selected covariates employing simple logistic and multivariable logistic regression, respectively. Results Of the 1172 pregnant women aged between 15 and 49 years allocated to the mental health module included in this study, 184 (15.7%) women experienced CMDs in pregnancy. The odds of prenatal CMD were significantly higher when the women faced any social barriers (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.95–1.95). CMD in pregnancy were also found to be significantly high when the pregnancy was not wanted by the women (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.97–2.10) and when the women was pressured to become pregnant (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.31–4.71). Conclusions Advanced maternal age, unwanted pregnancy, any barrier to healthcare, and pressure to become pregnant have been identified as the key determinants of CMDs among pregnant women in Bangladesh. It is recommended that policymakers integrate mental health awareness initiatives, mental health screening tests, and supportive measures into antenatal care frameworks. Timely identification and interventions are essential to improve both the physical and psychological well‐being of the mothers and their children.