Abstract
BackgroundPregnant women go through physiological as well as psychological changes during pregnancy. Antenatal anxiety disorders are common, with proven adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Anxiety increases the risks for prematurity and neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy-related anxiety and the impact of social media among pregnant women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.Materials and methodsThis observational cross-sectional study included pregnant women who were attending antenatal care (ANC) in primary healthcare centers between May and October of 2021 in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. For data collection, a structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed randomly to eligible pregnant women. The presence of pregnancy-related anxiety was assessed by using the 10-item Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised (PRAQ-R), Arabic version. The impact of social media was measured through Social Media Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ).ResultsOut of 823 pregnant women, 382 were eligible. Their mean age was 26.1 ± 10.9 years. Most of them (70.4%) had adhered to ANC. However, 32.1% had a history of miscarriage, and 6.7% had previous birth with congenital anomalies. The mean scores of pregnancy-related anxiety domains were 10.6 out of 15 for fear of giving birth, 8.7 for concern of own appearance, and 6.4 out of 12 for worries about bearing a handicapped child. More than half of the participants scored 28 out of 50 for pregnancy-related anxiety. The factors that were significantly associated with pregnancy-related anxiety were healthcare workers, first trimester, and unplanned pregnancy (P < 0.05). Social media engagement showed no correlation with anxiety.ConclusionsThe pregnancy-related anxiety level was average among pregnant women in Al-Ahsa, and fear of giving birth was the most common reason. Its predictors included early pregnancy, being a healthcare provider, and unplanned pregnancy. Pregnancy-related anxiety should be diagnosed early during routine ANC for better maternal and fetal outcomes.
Highlights
Pregnancy is the most important and challenging period among women willing to raise a child [1]
The factors that were significantly associated with pregnancy-related anxiety were healthcare workers, first trimester, and unplanned pregnancy (P < 0.05)
Social media engagement showed no correlation with anxiety
Summary
Pregnancy is the most important and challenging period among women willing to raise a child [1]. Women are recommended to prepare themselves physically and mentally so they can go through such a critical and life-changing period safely without facing any complications. Such complications include miscarriage, low birth weight, impaired cognitive and physical fetal development, and possibly death [3,4,5]. Social media can greatly influence such an important period of life for many women either positively or negatively. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy-related anxiety and the impact of social media among pregnant women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
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