Economic, Psychological, and Emotional Well-Being of Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Kamal M Eldeirawi, Victoria W Persky, Cameron Zielke and 9 others
PMID 38923387WHAT IT FOUND
Pregnant women who worried about losing their home, could not afford basics, or had COVID-19 were more likely to report elevated depressive symptoms.
Housing insecurity was strongest among those with infection.
Key findings
01Housing insecurity, financial distress, confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, and exposure to COVID-19 were each significantly associated with higher odds of elevated depressive symptoms after adjustment.
02The association between housing insecurity and elevated depressive symptoms was significantly stronger among pregnant women who had experienced COVID-19 than among those who had not.
03More than half of analysed pregnant women reported elevated depressive symptoms, and more than half reported housing insecurity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The survey was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that housing insecurity, financial distress, or COVID-19 caused elevated depressive symptoms. Participants were recruited online and through social media, so the sample may not represent all pregnant women. The analysed sample was largely non-Hispanic White, college educated, married or living with a partner, and living in the mainland United States. COVID-19 diagnosis and exposure were self-reported and not validated by health records. Depressive symptoms were measured by self-report, not by clinical interview. The survey was conducted early in the pandemic, before vaccination and later variants. 2258 women provided survey responses, but only 2118 provided data on the outcome and main exposure variables.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that housing insecurity, financial distress, or COVID-19 caused elevated depressive symptoms. This was a cross-sectional survey, so it can show association but not cause and effect.