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Abdul-Fatah A, Bezanson M, Lopez Steven S, Tippins E, Jones S, MacDonald H, Ysseldyk R. COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions and New Mothers' Mental Health: A Qualitative Scoping Review. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:10497323241251984. [PMID: 39030700 DOI: 10.1177/10497323241251984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Public health restrictions to protect physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic had unintended effects on mental health, which may have disproportionately affected some potentially vulnerable groups. This scoping review of qualitative research provides a narrative synthesis of new mothers' perspectives on their mental health during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions through pregnancy to the postpartum period. Database searches in PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO sought primary research studies published until February 2023, which focused on new mothers' self-perceived mental health during the pandemic (N = 55). Our synthesis found that new mothers' mental health was impacted by general public health restrictions resulting in isolation from family and friends, a lack of community support, and impacts on the immediate family. However, public health restrictions specific to maternal and infant healthcare were most often found to negatively impact maternal mental health, namely, hospital policies prohibiting the presence of birthing partners and in-person care for their infants. This review of qualitative research adds depth to previous reviews that have solely examined the quantitative associations between COVID-19 public health restrictions and new mothers' mental health. Here, our review demonstrates the array of adverse impacts of COVID-19 public health restrictions on new mothers' mental health throughout pregnancy into the postpartum period, as reported by new mothers. These findings may be beneficial for policy makers in future public health emergency planning when evaluating the impacts and unintended consequences of public health restrictions on new mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle Bezanson
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Emily Tippins
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Jones
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Renate Ysseldyk
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Jibril MK, Yimam AA, Abdu NR, Ali SY. Psychological impact and associated factors of the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women in Fafan Zone health institutions, Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:270. [PMID: 38689303 PMCID: PMC11059579 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite pregnant women's vulnerability to respiratory illnesses and pregnancy complications during the COVID-19 pandemic, research on its psychological impact in the study area, is limited. OBJECTIVE This study aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalence and factors linked to the psychological impact among pregnant women in the Fafan zone, Somali region of Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted from April 1st to April 30th, 2021, randomly selected health facilities for inclusion. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed psychological impact, and data were analyzed using SPSS V 22. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 in bivariate analysis were considered for multivariate analysis via multiple logistic regressions with the backward elimination method. RESULTS The study involved 294 pregnant women, constituting 73% of the respondents. The prevalence of psychological impact attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic was 27.2%. Factors such as being in the first trimester of pregnancy (AOR: 5.32), travel history to infected areas (AOR: 3.71), obtaining COVID-19 information from television (AOR: 4.81), and using social media for 1 to 2 hours daily for updates (AOR: 1.35) were significantly associated with this impact. CONCLUSION While the psychological impact among pregnant women in this study was relatively lower compared to other research, factors such as gestational age, TV media exposure, travel history, and social media usage for COVID-19 updates were strongly linked to this impact, highlighting the necessity for psychological support services for pregnant women during challenging times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meka Kedir Jibril
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Department of Nursing, Integrated Clinical and Community Mental Health Jigjiga University College of Medicine and Health Science, Jigjiga, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmed Adem Yimam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jigjiga University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and College of Medicine and Health Science School of Medicine, Jigjiga, Ethiopia
| | - Neima Ridwan Abdu
- Warabe University College of Medicine and Health Science Department of Midwifery, Warabe, Ethiopia
| | - Seid Yimam Ali
- Jigjiga University College of Medicine and Health Science School Medicine, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.
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Wakode N, Bajpai K, Trushna T, Wakode S, Garg K, Wakode A. Influence of Sociodemographic Factors on Stunting, Wasting, and Underweight Among Children Under Two Years of Age Born During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e56381. [PMID: 38633920 PMCID: PMC11022920 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on maternal and reproductive health extend beyond the immediate morbidity and mortality attributed directly to the disease. Pandemic-induced disruptions in the healthcare, social and economic infrastructures can exacerbate the already high burden of childhood undernutrition in India. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in a selected district of the central Indian province of Madhya Pradesh. Data was collected from eligible children born during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020 to December 2021) who visited a selected tertiary care hospital for routine immunization during the study period. Weight-for-length, weight-for-age, and length-for-age were compared with reference values to obtain corresponding z-scores. Children with z-scores two standard deviations below the reference values were considered wasting, underweight and stunting, respectively. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarise the sociodemographic characteristics of participants. The association of sociodemographic, nutritional, and pregnancy-related factors with the z-scores were assessed via unpaired t-test and ANOVA. Result The studied 147 children were in the age group of nine to 29 months, of which 61 (58.1%) were males. Forty-two (28.6%) were found to be underweight, 22 (14.9%) had wasting and 51 (34.7%) were stunted. These prevalences were comparable to the estimates of the National Family Health Survey 2019-2021 (NFHS-5) for Madhya Pradesh and lower than the NFHS-4 (2015-2016), showing no discernible effect of being born during the pandemic on growth indicators. However, mothers' employment and family income were independent predictors of stunting whereas gestational age at birth, maternal education, and prolonged breastfeeding were all substantially linked with wasting in this study. Conclusion This study adds to the evidence base by reporting the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight along with their determinants in central India among children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our data did not reflect the expected increase in child malnutrition due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions in healthcare, social and economic infrastructure. Future research should incorporate the lessons learnt from our study to design a population-based study of under-five children and compare the prevalence of undernutrition in pandemic-born versus non-pandemic-born children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Wakode
- Anatomy, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, IND
| | - Kushagra Bajpai
- Anatomy, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, IND
| | - Tanwi Trushna
- Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, IND
| | - Santosh Wakode
- Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, IND
| | - Kushagra Garg
- Anatomy, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, IND
| | - Ankur Wakode
- Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, IND
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Shaw-Churchill S, Phillips KP. The pandemic experiences of Ontario perinatal providers: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1057. [PMID: 37794422 PMCID: PMC10552313 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10079-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has produced widespread disruptions for healthcare systems across Canada. Perinatal care in Ontario, Canada was subject to province-wide public health restrictions, reallocation of hospital beds and human health resources. To better understand the impacts of the pandemic on Ontario perinatal care, this study explored the perspectives of perinatal care providers about their clinical COVID-19 pandemic experiences. METHODS Semi-structured key informant virtual interviews were conducted between August 2021 and January 2022 with 15 Ontario-based perinatal care providers. Recorded interviews were transcribed, and thematic content analysis used to identify major themes and subthemes. RESULTS Participants were mainly women, practicing in Eastern and Central Ontario as health providers (obstetricians, nurses, midwives), allied regulated health professionals (social worker, massage therapist), and perinatal support workers (doula, lactation consultant). Major themes and subthemes were identified inductively as follows: (1) Impacts of COVID-19 on providers (psychosocial stress, healthcare system barriers, healthcare system opportunities); (2) Perceived impacts of COVID-19 on pregnant people (psychosocial stress, amplification of existing healthcare barriers, influences on reproductive decision making; minor theme- social and emotional support roles); (3) Vaccine discourse (provider empathy, vaccines and patient family dynamics, minor themes- patient vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 misinformation); and (4) Virtual pregnancy care (benefits, disadvantages, adaptation of standard care practices). CONCLUSIONS Perinatal care providers reported significant stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving hospital protocols. Providers perceived that their patients were distressed by both the pandemic and related reductions in pregnancy healthcare services including hospital limits to support companion(s). Although virtual pregnancy care impaired patient-provider rapport, most providers believed that the workflow efficiencies and patient convenience of virtual care is beneficial to perinatal healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigourney Shaw-Churchill
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Karen P Phillips
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Pajek J, Mancini K, Murray M. COVID-19 and children's behavioral health: An overview. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2023; 53:101491. [PMID: 38040607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The paper reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's and adolescents' well-being. A trauma-informed framework is employed to discuss the emerging evidence of notable changes in youth's psychological, developmental, academic, and social well-being since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents have been uniquely affected based on their age at the start of the pandemic. Despite multiple resiliency factors, COVID-19 and its ramifications have had an adverse effect on youth in general and have exacerbated preexisting racial and socioeconomic disparities. This review concludes with recommendations for child health clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Pajek
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA.
| | - Kathryn Mancini
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Marsheena Murray
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
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Hasen AA, Seid AA, Mohammed AA. Poor sleep quality and suicidal ideation among pregnant women during COVID-19 in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16038. [PMID: 37790617 PMCID: PMC10544305 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction COVID-19 has profoundly impacted the mental health and well-being of pregnant women worldwide. In Ethiopia, the poor sleep quality and suicidal ideation among pregnant women has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to provide comprehensive evidence on the prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality and suicidal ideation among pregnant women during COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Materials and Methods This study is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendation. Data were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online from the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic to February 2023. Two researchers extracted the data and performed the methodological quality assessment independently. Random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled effect size and I2was used to check heterogeneity. Stata 14.0 (StataCorp, Collage Station, Texas, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Results From six studies the pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality was 55% (95% CI [0.42-0.69], I2 = 98.1%, p < 0.001). Age ≥ 30 years pooled AOR = 1.95, 95% CI (0.85, 3.06), 3rd trimester pooled AOR = 3.20, 95% CI (1.82, 4.58), substance use pooled AOR = 2.51, 95% CI (0.99, 4.04), depression pooled AOR = 2.97, 95% CI (0.92, 5.02) and stress pooled AOR 2.14, 95% CI (0.24, 4.03) were associated factors of poor sleep quality. Three studies reported about suicidal ideation and pooled prevalence was 11% (95% CI: 0.09, 0.13, I2 = 48.2%, p = 0.145). Depression pooled AOR = 3.19, 95% CI (1.68, 4.71) was the only associated factor of suicidal ideation. Conclusion Due to COVID-19 pregnant women in Ethiopia were affected by poor sleep quality and suicidal ideation. Thus, suitable and well designed programs proposing awareness of COVID-19, mental health counseling and involvement should be designed to improve the general mental health of pregnant women. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42023389896.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aragaw Asfaw Hasen
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Samara University, Semera, Afar, Ethiopia
| | - Abubeker Alebachew Seid
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Semera, Afar, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmed Adem Mohammed
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Semera, Afar, Ethiopia
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Weigl T, Brunton R, Dryer R, Garthus-Niegel S. Validation of the German version of the pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PrAS): psychometric properties across all trimesters of pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:472. [PMID: 37355600 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05787-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy-related anxiety has received greater research attention recently given its association with adverse outcomes (e.g., negative birth experiences). The Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS) offers the possibility to assess pregnancy-related anxiety, but no German version is available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate a German version of the PrAS, a comprehensive measure with eight dimensions. METHODS Pregnant women of any parity or gestation completed an online survey consisting of the PrAS, PRAQ-R2, and measures of anxiety, depression, and resilience. The PrAS was translated into German (PrAS-G) using the back-translation method. Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and inferential statistics. RESULTS Complete data were provided by 443 women. Participants were predominantly German nationals, partnered, and well-educated with a planned pregnancy. Approximately half were nulliparous. The eight-factor model was well fitting and consistent with the development of the original PrAS. Criterion-related validity was demonstrated by strong correlations with similar measures (PRAQ-R2, anxiety, and depression) and lower correlations with resilience scores. Predictive validity was shown by group comparisons for: planned versus unplanned pregnancy, trimester, and parity. CONCLUSIONS The PrAS-G provides a broader assessment of pregnancy-related anxiety than existing measures. Initial evaluation has demonstrated convergent, divergent, and predictive validity, excellent internal consistency, and good model fit indicating promising psychometric properties. The PrAS-G offers a comprehensive assessment of pregnancy-related anxiety which will enable tailored interventions aiming to improve birth experience and well-being of expectant mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Weigl
- Psychology School, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Robyn Brunton
- Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, 2795, Australia
| | - Rachel Dryer
- Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, NSW, 2135, Australia
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Institute for Systems Medicine (ISM), Faculty of Medicine, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Childhood and Families, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Berthelot N, Garon-Bissonnette J, Drouin-Maziade C, Bergeron V, Sériès T. STEP-COVID: a pilot study of a prenatal intervention for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6466. [PMID: 37081093 PMCID: PMC10116444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a global increase in psychological distress in pregnant women. This study evaluated the effects of STEP-COVID, a six-session mentalization-based prenatal group program offered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 100 participants were allocated to STEP-COVID or to the natural trajectory of prenatal care. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms and positive affectivity. Perception of change during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors was also assessed at post-intervention. A significant decrease in psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms and an increase in positive affectivity were observed in participants in the intervention condition, whereas only post-traumatic symptoms improved in the control condition. Women who participated in STEP-COVID also reported greater changes during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors than women in the control condition. Results hold promise for buffering the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women using brief online interventions. Clinical trial registration: NCT05419167 (15/06/2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bergeron
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thibaut Sériès
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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Siafaka V, Tsonis O, Christogiannis C, Kontouli KM, Margariti K, Barbalia Z, Flindris S, Manifava E, Paschopoulou KI, Tzioras S, Baltogianni M, Mavridis D, Paschopoulos M. Psychometric properties of the Greek versions of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale and the Pandemic-Related Postpartum Stress Scale and associated risk factors during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e25. [PMID: 36721918 PMCID: PMC9970181 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected perinatal mental health. Reliable tools are needed to assess perinatal stress during pandemic situations. AIMS To assess the psychometric properties of the Greek versions of the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) and the Pandemic-Related Postpartum Stress Scale (PREPS-PP) and to explore the associations between women's characteristics and perinatal stress during the second pandemic wave. METHODS The PREPS and PREPS-PP were completed by 264 pregnant and 188 postpartum women, respectively, who also completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). RESULTS The internal consistency was similar for PREPS and PREPS-PP. It was good for preparedness stress (a = 0.77 and α = 0.71, respectively) and infection stress (α = 0.83 for both scales) but low for positive appraisal (α = 0.46 and α = 0.41, respectively). Of the pregnant women, 55.33% and 55.27%, respectively, reported scores of ≥40 on STAI-S and STAI-T, and the respective percentages for the postpartum women were 47.34% and 46.80%. In addition, 14.39% of the pregnant women and 20.74% of the postpartum women scored ≥13 on the EPDS. Higher preparedness stress on PREPS and PREPS-PP was associated with primiparity (P = 0.022 and P = 0.021, respectively) and disrupted perinatal care (P = 0.069 and P = 0.007, respectively). In postpartum women, higher infection stress was associated with chronic disease (P = 0.037), primiparity (P = 0.02) and perceived risk of infection (P = 0.065). Higher score on infection stress was associated with disrupted perinatal care in both groups (P = 0.107 and P = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The Greek versions of PREPS and PREPS-PP are valid tools for the assessment of women at risk of perinatal stress during a health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orestis Tsonis
- Assisted Conception Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christos Christogiannis
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina-Maria Kontouli
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kalypso Margariti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Zoe Barbalia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Stefanos Flindris
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Manifava
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Baltogianni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitris Mavridis
- Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Minas Paschopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Sobierajski T, Krzystanek M. Shades of Fear-Mental and Physical Health Reactions to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Representative Study of Polish Society. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2245. [PMID: 36767613 PMCID: PMC9915425 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The study was carried out one year after the establishment of the pandemic state in the European Union (EU), the situation at the end of the next wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The survey was conducted on a representative sample of Polish people using Computer Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI), considering several demographic categories, such as sex, age, place of residence, education, and monthly income. The survey's main objective was to find out whether the respondents feel fear related to pandemics and living in a pandemic, and if so, what the psychological and physiological symptoms of this fear are. Half of the respondents (50.2%) declared that they felt fear about what their life would look like after the pandemic, and every tenth person (10.1%) marked the highest level of fear on the scale. The respondents felt the psychological symptoms of the pandemic much more often than they felt the physical ones. The most common psychological symptoms were fear of the future (38.5% of them gave "often" and "very often" responses, together), despondency (29.2% of them gave "often" and "very often" responses), and mental tension (28.9% of them gave "often" and "very often" responses). A detailed analysis of data from representative studies showed that the responses in a pandemic are strongly determined by demographic categories, mainly sex and age, and they differ depending on the social group to which a person belongs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Sobierajski
- Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Resocialization, Warsaw University, 26/28 Krakowskie Przedmieście Str., 00-927 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 45/47 Ziołowa Str., 40-635 Katowice, Poland
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Martinez-Vazquez S, Riquelme-Gallego B, Lugo-Toro LJ, Lucena-Prieto L, Garrido-Torres N, Lopez-Soto T, Caparros-Gonzalez RA, De la Torre-Luque A. Maternal Psychopathological Profile during Childbirth and Neonatal Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pre-Posttest Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:80. [PMID: 36829309 PMCID: PMC9952727 DOI: 10.3390/bs13020080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 generated an alert that became a state of emergency in health issues worldwide, a situation that affected the entire population, including pregnant women. The present study aims to understand the effect of the psychopathological profile of a sample of pregnant women at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic on themselves during childbirth (Phase 1) and after childbirth and the anthropometric measures of the neonate at birth (Phase 2). The total sample comprises 81 pregnant women aged 32.07 years (SD = 5.45) and their neonates. Sociodemographic and obstetric data of the sample were collected. During pregnancy, psychopathology was measured by means of the SCL-90, as well as other psychological measures on stress and social support. Cluster k-means techniques were used to uncover the heterogeneous profiles of psychopathology in Phase 1. Two main psychopathological profiles were found (Cluster 1: High psychopathological symptoms; Cluster 2: Low psychopathological symptoms). The clusters generated show significant differences in all the SCL-90-R subscales used and in the general index at Phase 1. After childbirth, high psychopathology profile membership was associated with a greater probability of having a non-eutocic delivery. On the other hand, the low psychopathological symptoms cluster shows higher levels of depressive symptoms, hostility, paranoid ideation, and psychotic symptoms in Phase 2. In conclusion, there seemed to exist two heterogeneous profiles of psychopathology in pregnant women during the pandemic; the stress related to the pandemic seemed uninfluential on the development of a profile of high psychopathological symptoms and the psychopathology profile may influence delivery and postpartum outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lidia Lucena-Prieto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Delivery Ward, Hospital Antequera, 29200 Malaga, Spain
| | | | - Teresa Lopez-Soto
- English Language Department, University of Seville, 41004 Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
- Department of Nursing, The University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro De la Torre-Luque
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, Complutense University of Madrid, CIBERSAM ISCIII, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Williams CE, Berkowitz D, Rackin HM. Exploring the experiences of pregnant women in the U.S. during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. THE JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ISSUES 2022; 79:JOSI12567. [PMID: 36718412 PMCID: PMC9877755 DOI: 10.1111/josi.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we integrate the stress process model with symbolic interactionism to frame our analysis of interviews with 35 women who were pregnant and/or gave birth during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. We detail three stressors, highlight their variation, and discuss how they coped with these stressors. Women reported having to navigate contradictory information about the public health crisis, but Black participants simultaneously endured added strain from a heightened awareness of racialized violence. To cope with an overabundance of precarious and contradictory messages, some women sought out information (i.e., information gatherers), others eschewed information (i.e., information avoiders), and most established protective "bubbles." Next, women experienced disruptions in pregnancy rituals but coped by reframing their expectations. This stressor, however, was less acute for women with a prior birth. Third, women shared feelings of social isolation and reduced social support, which were intensified if pregnancy complications occurred. Women coped by relying on telecommunication and at-home monitoring devices. Our study shows how pregnant women experienced and coped through adversity to mitigate stressors amid pandemonium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dana Berkowitz
- Department of SociologyLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Heather M. Rackin
- Department of SociologyLouisiana State UniversityBaton RougeLouisianaUSA
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Briana DD, Papaevangelou V, Malamitsi-Puchner A. Action is needed to tackle the clinical, psychological and socioeconomic impact of perinatal COVID-19. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:2278-2283. [PMID: 35959999 PMCID: PMC9538449 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned perinatal healthcare into a worldwide public health challenge. Although initial data did not demonstrate pregnancy as a more susceptible period to adverse outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, an increasing number of reports now certify maternal illness as a high-risk condition for the development of maternal-fetal complications. Despite the rarity of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission, severe maternal illness might induce adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Additionally, perinatal COVID-19 data may raise concerns about long-term harmful consequences to the offspring in the framework of non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization, as well as scientific literature, consider the protection of the maternal-fetal dyad against COVID-19 as a critical issue and, therefore, strongly promote and encourage vaccination of pregnant and lactating women. Furthermore, the pandemic has triggered an unprecedented recession, leading to historic levels of unemployment and deprivation, while health, societal, economic and gender inequities particularly affecting low-income and middle-income countries, have increased. This mini-review provides an updated brief report on historical, clinical, psychological and socioeconomic aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic based on 10 lectures presented at the 9th Maria-Delivoria-Papadopoulos Perinatal Symposium, held virtually on 19 March 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina D Briana
- Third Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Papaevangelou
- Third Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Greece
| | - Ariadne Malamitsi-Puchner
- Third Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Greece
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14
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Diagnosis and Challenges in Perinatal Health. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12061399. [PMID: 35741210 PMCID: PMC9221575 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12061399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Ghassabian A, Jacobson MH, Kahn LG, Brubaker SG, Mehta-Lee SS, Trasande L. Maternal Perceived Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pre-Existing Risk Factors and Concurrent Correlates in New York City Women. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604497. [PMID: 35479764 PMCID: PMC9035490 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We examined whether pre-pandemic mental health and sociodemographic characteristics increased the susceptibility of pregnant women and mothers of young children to stress in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Between April and August 2020, we surveyed 1560 women participating in a sociodemographically diverse birth cohort in New York City. Women reported their perceived stress, resiliency, and financial, familial/societal, and health-related concerns. We extracted pre-pandemic information from questionnaires and electronic health records. Results: Pre-pandemic history of depression, current financial difficulties, and COVID-19 infection were the main risk factors associated with high perceived stress. Being Hispanic and having higher resiliency scores and preexisting social support were protective against high perceived stress. Major contributors to current perceived stress were financial and familial/societal factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among pregnant women, changes to prenatal care were common, as were changes to experiences following birth among postpartum women and difficulties in arranging childcare among mothers of young children. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that major risk factors of higher stress during the pandemic were similar to those of other major traumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Melanie H. Jacobson
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Linda G. Kahn
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara G. Brubaker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shilpi S. Mehta-Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Kołomańska-Bogucka D, Micek A, Mazur-Bialy AI. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Levels of Physical Activity in the Last Trimester, Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress in Late Pregnancy and in the Early Puerperium. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053066. [PMID: 35270759 PMCID: PMC8910231 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of physical activity during the third trimester of pregnancy, life satisfaction and stress in women in late pregnancy and early postpartum. Methods: The study was conducted among 740 patients of maternity wards in Cracow hospitals on days 1−8 postpartum. Patients who were surveyed before the pandemic (December 2019−March 2020) were included in the prepandemic group (PPan: n = 252). The second group of women (COVID 1 group, Cov1: n = 262) was examined in the early stages of the pandemic (May−September 2020). In turn, participants who were surveyed during the population vaccination campaign (June−September 2021) were qualified to the COVID 2 group (Cov2: n = 226). The research tools used were the original questionnaire in addition to standardized questionnaires assessing physical activity in the last trimester of pregnancy (the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire); previous life satisfaction (the Satisfaction with Life Scale); and stress levels during the last month (the Perceived Stress Scale). Results: During the pandemic, women reduced the level of energy spent on total physical activity; nevertheless, statistically significant differences were found only between the PPan and Cov2 groups (p = 0.001). At the early stages of the pandemic, patients significantly reduced mobility activities (Cov1 vs. PPan: p < 0.001; Cov1 vs. Cov2: p = 0.007), while late in the pandemic they spent less energy on household activities (Cov2 vs. PPan: p = 0.002, Cov2 vs. Cov1: p = 0.002). There were no differences in the levels of stress and life satisfaction. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the level of physical activity; however, it did not change levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction in women in late-stage pregnancy and in the early puerperium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Kołomańska-Bogucka
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Micek
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka I. Mazur-Bialy
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-012-421-9351
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