Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women and Related Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract

To evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes, 1087 pregnant women completed online questionnaires. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between depression and anxiety symptoms, participants’ characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Of the 986 pregnant women who were included in this study, the rates of anxiety symptoms and depressive tendencies were 13.4% and 18.3%, respectively. Sleep disorder ((Adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.166; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.797–6.205), time spent paying attention to the epidemic per day (≥1 h/d AOR = 1.568; 95% CI: 1.052–2.338), and the time spent with their spouses (Increase AOR = 0.629; 95% CI: 0.409–0.967) were associated with the risk of anxiety. Sleep disorder (AOR = 3.839; 95% CI: 2.718–5.432) and educational level (bachelor’s degree or above AOR = 1.833; 95% CI: 1.004–3.345) were associated with the risk of depression. Psychological status was not correlated with the pregnancy outcomes (p > 0.05). Anxiety and depression symptoms were common among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention should be paid to manage their risk factors.