Psychological Distress Among Ethiopian Pregnant Women During COVID-19: Negative Correlation with Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Background: Since the onset of coronavirus disease 2019, the mental health of individuals has been negatively affected, especially among vulnerable groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association of psychological distress with self-efficacy and other correlates among Ethiopian pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 384 pregnant women from August 1 to 15, 2020. Pandemic-related psychological distress was measured by the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), generalized self-efficacy scale (GSES), and fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S) were employed to examine independent variables. A consecutive sampling technique was employed and the data were analyzed by SPSS version 23.0. Categorical variables were presented in terms of frequencies and percentages; and mean with SD was employed to express continuous variables. Multiple regressions were performed; and for statistical significance, p < 0.05 and 95% CI were considered. Results: The participants had 31.3 (SD±7.7) mean age and those participants between the ages of 25-34 were dominant. The mean score of IES-R scale was 45.1 (±17.4) indicating severe psychological distress. The IES-R mean score for primiparous women was significantly higher than the mean score of multiparous women. Psychological distress has a strong positive correlation with symptoms of anxiety, depression and fear of COVID-19. In contrast, a negative relationship was found between psychological distress and participants' self-efficacy. Conclusion:The results indicate that the current pandemic has imposed severe psychological distress among pregnant women. The presence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pandemic-related fears were identified as positive predictors. In contrast, better self-efficacy of the pregnant women was linked to lower psychological distress. For health-care professionals, broadening the focus and collaboration among service-delivering units are important in halting undesirable outcomes of the pandemic.

Alleviating Doctors’ Emotional Exhaustion through Sports Involvement during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Roles of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy and Perceived Stress

“…Even in the face of financial difficulties, career failure, family discord, or academic failure, they can also get rid of negative emotions by adjusting their cognitive style, changing their original behavior, or seeking help from others [ 40 ]. Some past studies have shown that regulatory emotional self-efficacy is an important indicator of whether an individual can effectively manage their emotional state, and its role is precise to relieve tension, maintain emotional regulation, help regulate emotional impulses and promote mental health [ 41 ]. However, few studies have examined the regulatory emotional self-efficacy and how it impacts the perceived stress in the quantitative method, the current study aims at filling this gap, hence, this study proposed Hypothesis 3.…”

Maternal mental health in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a neglected global health issue

“…In their study, the prevalence of general anxiety disorder was 32.2%, a higher rate than was found in China [ 10 ]. Another study in Ethiopia investigated psychological distress and self-efficacy among 384 pregnant women receiving follow-up antenatal care using the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and Fear of COVID-19 scale [ 28 ]. The findings of this study indicated severe psychological distress (IES-R scale mean score, 45.1± 17.4).…”

“…The author also found a significant positive association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and fear of COVID-19. However, further analysis revealed that self-efficacy was a protective factor against psychological distress and had a negative association with fear of COVID-19 [ 28 ]. In Ghana, Moyer et al [ 29 ] assessed anxiety and healthcare-seeking behavior among 71 pregnant women using an online survey distributed via social networks.…”

“…The evidence showed consistent relationships between psychological risk factors and mental health during the pandemic. For example, higher levels of education, parity, and being in the third trimester predicted poor mental health in Nigeria and Ethiopia [ 27 , 28 , 30 ]. Similarly, urban residence was associated with a higher psychological burden [ 27 , 30 ].…”

Anxiety among Pregnant Women Attending Obstetrics Unit of a Tertiary Care Centre during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health should not be overlooked, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women. 1 Even under normal circumstances, women are at greater risk of anxiety and depression during pregnancy than at any other time in their lives. 2 Fear of virus transmission to the foetus, social isolation resulting in reduced support from wider family and friend, disruption of maternal health services etc.…”