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COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Anxiety in Pregnant Women

Author

Listed:
  • Urszula Nowacka

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Szymon Kozlowski

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Marcin Januszewski

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology CSKMSWiA, Woloska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Janusz Sierdzinski

    (Department of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Litewska 14/16, 00-581 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Artur Jakimiuk

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology CSKMSWiA, Woloska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Tadeusz Issat

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak influenced general and mental health worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women and compare it between COVID-infected and non-infected groups. We prospectively assessed the daily routine and anxiety level using a bespoke questionnaire and GAD-7 scale validated for pregnant women. With logistic regression, we established possible risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder spectrum and main causes of concern. The dataset included 439 responders of our survey. Of which, 21% had COVID-19 infection during pregnancy; 38% were screened for possible generalized anxiety disorder and the proportion was higher in women who suffered from COVID-19 (48% vs. 35%, p = 0.03). Pre-pregnancy anxiety or depression diagnosis and intentional social contact avoidance increased the risk of anxiety (aOR 3.4 and 3.2). Fetal wellbeing was the main concern for 66% of the responders. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions substantially altered daily lives of pregnant women, exaggerating the prevalence of anxiety compared with the pre-COVID-19 studies (38% vs. 15%). COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was associated with increased levels of generalized anxiety scores. Patient-tailored psychological support should be a mainstay of comprehensive antenatal medical care in order to avoid anxiety- and stress-related complications.

Suggested Citation

  • Urszula Nowacka & Szymon Kozlowski & Marcin Januszewski & Janusz Sierdzinski & Artur Jakimiuk & Tadeusz Issat, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Anxiety in Pregnant Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7221-:d:589271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qiu-Yue Zhong & Bizu Gelaye & Alan M Zaslavsky & Jesse R Fann & Marta B Rondon & Sixto E Sánchez & Michelle A Williams, 2015. "Diagnostic Validity of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 (GAD-7) among Pregnant Women," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    2. James Banks & Xiaowei Xu, 2020. "The Mental Health Effects of the First Two Months of Lockdown during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the UK," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(3), pages 685-708, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tianqi Zhao & Hanxiao Zuo & Sandra M. Campbell & Gian S. Jhangri & Keith S. Dobson & Jessica Yijia Li & Shahirose S. Premji & Fangbiao Tao & Beibei Zhu & Shelby S. Yamamoto, 2022. "The Impacts of Prenatal Mental Health Issues on Birth Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, June.
    2. Sylwia Michałowska & Karolina Rachubińska & Krystian Konieczny, 2022. "Anxiety, Stress Coping Styles and Hope for Success among Graduate Students and High School Graduates during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Remote Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Paulina Malarkiewicz & Stanisław Maksymowicz & Maria Libura, 2022. "Mother’s Loneliness: Involuntary Separation of Pregnant Women in Maternity Care Settings and Its Effects on the Experience of Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Michalina Ilska & Anna Kołodziej-Zaleska & Anna Brandt-Salmeri & Heidi Preis & Marci Lobel, 2021. "Pandemic Stress and Its Correlates among Pregnant Women during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    5. Marius Craina & Daniela Iacob & Mirabela Dima & Sandor Bernad & Carmen Silaghi & Andreea Moza & Manuela Pantea & Adrian Gluhovschi & Elena Bernad, 2022. "Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Findings of Pregnant Women with Possible Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2—Case Series," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-11, September.

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