Risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic - results of a web-based multinational cross-sectional study.

Kajdy A, Sys D, Pokropek A, Shaw SW, Chang TY, Calda P, Acharya G, Ben-Zion M, Biron-Shental T, Borowski D, Czuba B, Etchegaray A, Feduniw S, Garcia-Mandujano R, Garcia Santacruz M, Gil MM, Hassan S, Kwiatkowski S, Martin-Arias A, Martinez-Portilla RJ, Prefumo F, Rabijewski M, Salomon LJ, Tiller H, Verlohren S, Voon HY, Fernando Yanque-Robles O, Yong SL, Poon LC, Mind-COVID Collaborative Team

Int J Gynaecol Obstet - (-) - [2022-08-05; online 2022-08-05]

Mind-COVID is a prospective cross-sectional study aimed to assess risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares outcomes in middle-income economies and high-income economies. 7,102 pregnant women from 12 high-income economies and 9 middle-income economies were included. The web-based survey used two standardised instruments, GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Pregnant women in high-income economies reported higher PHQ-9 (0.18 SD, p<<0.001) and GAD-7 (0.08 SD, p=0.005) scores than those living in middle-income economies. Multivariate regression analysis showed that increasing PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales were associated with mental health problems during pregnancy and the need of psychiatric treatment before pregnancy. PHQ-9 was associated with feeling of burden related to restrictions in social distancing and access to leisure activities. GAD-7 scores were associated with a pregnancy-related complication, fear of adverse outcomes in children related to COVID-19 and feeling of burden related to finances. According to this study, the imposed public health measures and hospital restrictions have left pregnant women more vulnerable during these difficult times. Adequate partner and family support during pregnancy and childbirth can be one of the most important protective factors against anxiety and depression, regardless of national economic status.

Category: Health

Type: Journal article

PubMed 35932096

DOI 10.1002/ijgo.14388

Crossref 10.1002/ijgo.14388


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