Anxiety among Pregnant Women Attending Obstetrics Unit of a Tertiary Care Centre during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The disastrous effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of vulnerable populations like pregnant women should not be neglected. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of anxiety among pregnant women attending the obstetrics unit of a tertiary care centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 16 May 2020 to 30 July 2020 among pregnant women attending obstetrics unit of a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 365/076/077-IRC). Convenience sampling method was used. Pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaires were used and semi-structured questionnaires were used for sociodemographic data. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 115 pregnant women, anxiety was found in 21 (18.26%) (11.20-25.32, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: Anxiety among the pregnant women reported in this study was found to be lower than similar studies conducted in similar settings.