Psychological distress associated with COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: The risk of anxiety and psychological difficulties is elevated during pregnancy and is probably exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to explore psychological distress associated with COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women. Methods: A descriptive-comparative research design was adopted to achieve the stated aim. A convenience sample of 120 participants (60 pregnant and 60 non-pregnant women) was recruited. The study was conducted at an obstetric and gynecological outpatient clinic at Kafrelsheikh University hospital, Kafrelsheikh Governorate, Egypt. Data were collected using three tools: a structured interview schedule; the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS); and the revised version of the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R). Result: The mean anxiety score for pregnant women was 5.75 ± 3.14 compared to 6.31 ± 2.22 for non-pregnant women. No statistically significant difference was noted between the anxiety scores reported by the two groups (p = 0.257). The mean depression score recorded for pregnant women was 6.73 ± 3.40 compared to 8.60 ± 2.31 for the non-pregnant group. The difference between the two groups was highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean stress score registered for pregnant women was 8.45 ± 2.79 compared to 6.51 ± 3.1 for non-pregnant women, and the difference between the two groups was also highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean score of the post-traumatic distress of pregnant women was 25.88 ± 11.93 compared to 14.55 ± 9.21 for the non-pregnant. The difference between the two groups was highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pregnant women expressed lower depression-related scores than non pregnant women; however, the pregnant women registered higher scores relating to stress and post-traumatic distress than non-pregnant women. The study results recommended that obstetric and psychiatric nursing interventions are crucial for the mitigation of the psychological distress experienced by pregnant women during the ongoing pandemic. Such professional care can also prevent adverse health outcomes for pregnant women and their fetuses