Factors associated with prenatal stress and anxiety in pregnant women during COVID-19 in Spain.
Natalia Awad-Sirhan, Sandra Simó-Teufel, Yerko Molina-Muñoz and 2 others
PMID 35183488WHAT IT FOUND
32.6% of analysed pregnant women in Spain during lockdown had anxiety indicators.
Stress and anxiety were linked to COVID-19 concerns and prior mental health history; perceived healthcare access was linked to lower anxiety.
Key findings
0132.6% of the analysed pregnant women had anxiety indicators during lockdown.
02Higher COVID-19 concern and a history of mental health problems were associated with higher prenatal stress.
03Higher perceived healthcare accessibility and planned pregnancy were associated with lower state anxiety.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was recruited online by convenience and snowball methods, so it may not represent all pregnant women; 70.2% had university studies and 96% were Spanish. Because the study was cross-sectional, the associations cannot show that concerns, healthcare access, or obstetric factors caused stress or anxiety. Women hospitalised for obstetric complications were excluded, so findings may not apply to more medically complicated pregnancies. The COVID-19 concern and healthcare perception questionnaire was created for this study and not validated beforehand. Obstetric, mental health, and chronic disease information was self-reported and not checked against medical records. Important factors such as social support and employment status were not included in the regression models.
Declared interests
The study received no specific funding from public, commercial, or not-for-profit agencies, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat perceived healthcare access or clear protocols as an intervention proven to reduce anxiety. This cross-sectional online survey found an association, not a tested effect.