Pregnant Women’s Health-related Behavior Changes and Psychological Status After the Peak of COVID-19 Outbreak in China: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the relationship between health-related behavior and psychological status of pregnant women during the COVID-19 outbreak. We aimed to describe the health-related behavior changes and psychological status of Chinese pregnant women, and to explore the relationship between pregnant women’s characteristics, health-related behavior and different psychological status following the peak of COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: We conducted an online survey through social media (WeChat) from March 14 to April 7. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate Chinese pregnant women’s health-related behavior changes. Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Perceived Stress Scale were used to assess anxiety, depression and stress among pregnant women. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare health-related behavior changes before and during the COVID-19 outbreak and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis or logistic regression analysis were used to explore the relationships between variables.Results: A total of 113 pregnant women were included in this study. Most pregnant women wore masks (98.2%), changed location or tried to stay away from those who seem to have a cold or fever (99.1%) and washed hands more often than before (96.5%). Pregnant women washed hands with soap or hand sanitizer more often and went out less often than before the outbreak. There were 41.6% pregnant women who didn’t have antenatal visits or weren’t on time for antenatal visits. Majority (77.9%) pregnant women sought help when feeling panic or anxiety, whereas few turned to psychological workers. The rates of pregnant women with anxiety, depression and health risk stress were 64.6%, 58.4% and 54.9%, respectively. Analysis of relationship between variables showed that household income, gestational age, pregnancy complications, knowledge about COVID-19 and maternal and child protection, perception of the likelihood of infection, the frequency of going out, prenatal check-up behavior, help-seeking behavior were significantly associated or correlated with psychological status. Conclusions: Attention should be paid to the mental health of pregnant women with specific health-related behaviors changes. Screening for mental health problems and psychological interventions among pregnant women are needed.

Anxiety and Adaptation of Behavior in Pregnant Zhuang Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Mode Survey

“…In China, previous studies reported that pregnant women went out less, and about two-fifths of pregnant women did not undergo prenatal examination or did not have antenatal visits on time after the peak of the outbreak of COVID-19. 13 Similarly, Yue et al 14 found that pregnant women take protective measures such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, cleaning, and disinfecting their homes to avoid virus infection.…”

The Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors, Preventive Health Behaviors and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine among Israeli Pregnant Women during the Coronavirus Pandemic

“…Studies conducted during the Coronavirus pandemic found that pregnant women often perform PHB due to COVID-19 [27,28]. For example, in a study conducted in Colorado among pregnant women, it was found that all of the women reported changes in their health behaviors during the Coronavirus pandemic, which included increasing the frequency of hand washing, frequent use of antiseptic gel, reducing meetings with friends (social distancing), avoiding people who had symptoms of Coronavirus, using masks, and avoiding touching the face, nose, and mouth [29].…”