Abstract
Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused negative impacts on the physical and mental health of the population worldwide. Pregnant and puerperal women comprise the population most vulnerable to impacts on mental health. Objective: To synthesize the scientific evidence on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and puerperal women. Methods: This systematic review focused on answering the question “what is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and puerperal women?” In order to perform the search of the studies, we used combinations of keywords: pregnant, puerperal, prenatal, perinatal, mental health, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. We identified 132 studies from the databases and 18 studies from preprints. In total, we elected 14 studies and another four studies by manual search, making up a total of 18 studies, to compose the final sample of this review. Results: Anxiety and depression were the main outcomes found, being shown in 15 and 11 studies, respectively. Other outcomes found in more than one study were: concerns related to several factors, loneliness, stress, and fear. Conclusion: From this review, we can infer that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of pregnant and puerperal women, with depression and anxiety being the most frequent changes. The social detachment, the media pressure, the fear of contracting the infection, the economic scenario, and the rupture of family rituals are shown as intensifying factors of psychological distress, thus causing changes in the mental health of these women.
Highlights
The onset of emerging infectious diseases has been considered a major public health problem worldwide
From this review, we can infer that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of pregnant and puerperal women, with depression and anxiety being the most frequent changes
We analyzed 18 studies that identified the impact on the mental health of pregnant and puerperal women during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
The onset of emerging infectious diseases has been considered a major public health problem worldwide. Severe respiratory disease, and sudden impairment of other organs appeared in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019, caused by Severe. Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2, aetiological agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1]. With the exponential growth of COVID-19 on a transcontinental basis, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared, on March 11th, 2020, that COVID-19 qualified as a pandemic. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health. COVID-19 is capable of causing neurological, hepatic, respiratory and enteric changes [4]. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused negative impacts on the physical and mental health of the population worldwide. Pregnant and puerperal women comprise the population most vulnerable to impacts on mental health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
