The Level of COVID-19 Fear in Pregnant Women and Affecting Factors

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research is to determine the COVID-19 fear levels of pregnant women during the pandemic period and to reveal the factors that affect their fear levels. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 440 married pregnant women between August 1st and December 31st, 2020. The research data were obtained using the COVID-19 Fear Scale and the demographic questionnaire prepared in line with the relevant literature. Results: The mean COVID-19 Fear Scale score of pregnant women was found as 22.25 ± 6.60 (min:7, max:35). COVID-19 fear was found to be higher among the pregnant women, who do not have a child, who stated that they needed psychological support, who were in the 4th-6th month of their pregnancy, who stated that they always feel fear whenever they go out, who restrict home visits, who are afraid of becoming infected by COVID-19, who are concerned about their babies getting harmed by COVID-19, who have had someone among their kith and kin that became infected by COVID-19, who are worried about giving birth in a health institution, who were not able to go to their prenatal check-ups, who are afraid of losing their babies, who are afraid of giving birth prematurely and who are afraid of giving birth to a baby that incurs a disability due to COVID-19. Conclusion: Up-to-date information should be shared with pregnant women during the pandemic period ensuring that their fear levels are alleviated.