Introduction: The risk factors of pre-eclampsia have to be identified early in order to preventeclampsia, placental abruption and other life-threatening complications to mother and newborn. Objectives: 1. To find association between psychological stress and pre-eclampsia. 2. To study the risk factors of pre-eclampsia among pregnant women admitted for delivery in a district hospital. Methodology: This case-control study recruited 100 pregnant women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and 200 gestational age-matched controls. Age of the mother, parity, diet, previous abortion, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational diabetes, family history of hypertension and multiple gestation were assessed. Psychological stress was assessed using Cohen’s PSS- 10 instrument. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated. Results: Median PSS score was 14 among cases and 13 among controls. (P value = 0.045). Being a homemaker (aOR = 2.67; 1.32-5.38), first pregnancy (aOR = 3.13; 1.771-5.534), history of previous abortion (aOR= 1.61; 1.23-9.53), oral contraceptive pill use within one year of pregnancy (aOR= 7.88; 1.66-37.40) and BMI > 23 kg/m2 (aOR = 2.40; 1.35-4.29) showed significant association with pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: Interventions to manage emotional stress during pregnancy may be helpful in preventing the development of pre-eclampsia.Antenatal care should focus on these risk factors and prevent complications of pre-eclampsia.

Keywords: Antenatal Care; Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale; Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy; Maternal Health; Pre-Eclampsia; Psychological Stress.