Predictors of childbirth fear among pregnant Chinese women: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Abstract

Objectiveto examine childbirth fear and identify its predictors among pregnant Chinese women. Design and Settinga cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire survey was conducted in a regional teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China, between October and November 2013. Participants353 pregnant Chinese women who were at least 18 years old, with a singleton fetus, in the third trimester of pregnancy, not at high risk for complications of pregnancy, and not having had a previous caesarean section. Measurementsa social-demographic data sheet; the Chinese version of the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire and the Spielberger׳s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; and the short form of 32-item Chinese Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory. Findingsthe pregnant Chinese women reported moderate levels of childbirth fear. The pregnant Chinese women who were younger, with lower educational level, not satisfied with their husbands׳ support, and with previous experience of miscarriage reported higher level of childbirth fear. Pregnant women׳s childbirth self-efficacy, state anxiety and trait anxiety were correlated with childbirth fear. The best-fit regression analysis revealed four variables that explained 28% of variance in childbirth fear: trait anxiety, state anxiety, age and previous experience of miscarriage. Conclusionthis study highlighted the connection between childbirth fear, state and trait anxiety, childbirth self-efficacy, age, education and previous miscarriage among pregnant Chinese women. Implications for practicethe CAQ was an appropriate method to measure childbirth fear in pregnant Chinese women. The health-care professionals should be sensitive toward issues that could affect levels of childbirth fear in pregnant Chinese women, including age, education and previous miscarriage.