Key concerns among pregnant individuals during the pandemic: Online cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

To determine common sources of concern among pregnant individuals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional, open, online electronic survey from May 9, 2020, to June 14, 2020. Electronic survey open internationally and advertised through Canadian-based social media platforms. Eligible participants understood English and had been pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic (ie, were pregnant at the time of survey completion or had delivered an infant on or after March 11, 2020). Potential sources of concern related to the pandemic, calculated as the proportion of participants who endorsed each concern among those for whom the concern was relevant. Differences in the proportion of individuals endorsing each concern were compared by parity using modified Poisson regression. Frequency of concerns was examined in terms of level of distress, as per the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), using multivariable linear regression. Out of 1477 participants, 87.3% were Canadian. Top concerns included the following: hospital policies related to support persons during labour (80.9%), not being able to introduce the baby to family and friends (80.1%), and developing COVID-19 while pregnant (79.2%). Primiparous participants were more likely than multiparous participants to be concerned about accessing in-person prenatal classes (51.5% vs 13.3%; relative risk = 3.88; 95% CI 2.02 to 4.98) and cancellation of hospital tours (35.0% vs 5.6%, relative risk = 6.26; 95% CI 4.25 to 9.20), among other concerns. The mean (SD) K6 score was 6.7 (3.8) within the moderate to high distress range. Number of concerns reported was associated with K6 score in both primiparous (β = 0.24; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.29; P < .0001) and multiparous (β = 0.30; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.36; P < .0001) individuals. Pregnant individuals have unique concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the findings indicate the importance of targeted support strategies to meet the particular needs of both primiparous and multiparous pregnant individuals.