The risk of anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A cross-sectional online survey.

Abstract

Studies on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can have negative effects on maternal and child health outcomes. I therefore aimed to determine the risk of anxiety and depression in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The data were collected from pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020. In total, 164 pregnant women were recruited via social media (Facebook and Instagram) to complete an online survey. A personal information form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. I determined that pregnant women were at risk of anxiety (36%) and depression (73.8%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of depression was higher among the pregnant women who had a postgraduate education, worked during pregnancy, and had migrated within the previous 10 years compared to the other groups, while the risk of anxiety was higher in the age group 26-35 years and among unemployed pregnant women compared to the other groups. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant risk of anxiety and depression among pregnant women. Reducing the dangerous effects of COVID-19 on mental health is a perinatal health priority.