Psychological response of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

Abstract

Objective: In this study we explore anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in women in the process of pregnancy during lockdown due to the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a tertiary referral level hospital. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pregnant women at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza (Spain), from April 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020. A total of 168 women was recruited when they went to the hospital for a routine blood test for pregnancy. They answered a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, the Spielberg state-trait anxiety questionnaire for anxiety, and a visual analog scale for fear of COVID. Results: Frequency of Trait anxiety was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.7–58.7) and 52.7% (95% CI: 44.7–60.7) for State anxiety. The mean visual analog scale for fear of COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy was 57.2 (95% CI: 52.4-61.8). A positive correlation was found between the scales. Statistically significant differences were found between rural and urban areas. Conclusion: The emotional impact of the COVID-19 is high among pregnant women and the levels of anxiety are higher than usual in these groups of women during the pandemic lockdown.