Perception and Feelings of Antenatal Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

• Published in: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore Vol. 49; no. 8; p. 543
• Main Authors: Ng, Qiu Ju, Koh, Krystal Ml, Tagore, Shephali, Mathur, Manisha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore 01-08-2020
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety - epidemiology; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - complications; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Emotions; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Middle Aged; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pneumonia, Viral - complications; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - prevention & control; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - virology; Pregnant Women - psychology; SARS-CoV-2; Singapore; Social Media; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Singapore
• ISSN: 0304-4602
• DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020295

To assess the level of anxiety and knowledge regarding COVID-19 amongst antenatal women.
This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 31 March to 25 April 2020 to assess pregnant women's knowledge of COVID-19, their perceptions of its impact upon pregnancy and psychological impact using the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21).
Of the 324 women who participated in the study, the mean age was 31.8 years (range, 20-45). The majority (53.7%) were multiparous with mean gestational age of 23.4 weeks (SD 10). The commonest sources of information were Internet-based social media platforms. A significant proportion were unaware, or associated COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with fetal distress (82.1%), intrauterine death (71.3%), fetal anomalies (69.8%), miscarriages (64.8%), preterm labour (67.9%) and rupture of membranes (61.4%). A total of 116 (35.8%) women screened positive for anxiety, 59 (18.2%) for depression, and 36 (11.1%) for stress. There was a significant association between household size and stress scores [B = 0.0454 (95% CI, 0.0035-0.0873)]. Women who associated COVID-19 infection with fetal anomalies and intrauterine fetal death had significantly higher anxiety scores [B = -0.395 (95% CI, -0.660 to -0.130) and B = -0.291 (95% CI, -0.562 to -0.021) respectively].
Our study highlights that a lack of timely and reliable information on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and its outcomes results in increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress. The healthcare provider must address these issues urgently by providing evidence-based information using Internet-based resources and psychological support.