Determination of Maternal Anxiety Levels During COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine Period. A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: The novel coronavirus, named as severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), spreads primarily through humans to human transmission and for this reason governments across the globe have enforced social isolation rules. Isolation and the fear of getting infected affected the entire population, but it is felt more in pregnant women. The aim of this study is to examine the anxiety and behavioral changes in pregnant women caused by COVID-19 pandemic and antenatal care quality during the quarantine period. Methods: A cross-sectional study was initiated at outpatient clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in University of Health Sciences Turkey, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, between 07 May and May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak curfew quarantine period. A total of 291 patients (174 pregnant and 102 non-pregnant) were included. The data were obtained from both qualitative and quantitative methods using face-to-face survey, using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and personal information form with lifestyle change questionnaire. Anxiety levels, behavioral changes were compared and antenatal care quality assessed. Results: Pregnant participants had higher anxiety STAI state (STAI-S) scores than the non-pregnant participants (43.67±10.77 vs. 39.62±9.45, p=0.02). The STAI trait (STAI-T) anxiety scores were similar between the two groups (43.57±8.07 vs. 43.33±9.56, p=0.82. 60 of pregnant participants were in first trimester, 53 were in second and 61 were in third trimester. The education level of the pregnant participants and whether they received psychosocial support or in which trimester they were, did not make any difference between the STAI-S and STAI-T scores. 67.8% of pregnant participants stated about the fear of going to the hospital and 46.6% canceled their appointments of prenatal care. Appointment canceling was highest in third trimester (p=<0.001). Conclusion: During the quarantine period, increased maternal anxiety and decreased antenatal care quality determined, that may lead to increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Archives of Medical Research is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)