Adaptation and psychometric study of the scale for the measurement of fear and anxiety of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women (AMICO_Pregnant)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to adapt and explore the psychometric properties of a specific scale to assess the levels of fear and anxiety of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women.MethodsAn adaptation phase, by a panel of experts, and a psychometric descriptive cross-sectional study were carried out on the final version of the 16-item, self-administered AMICO_Pregnant scale. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out, followed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The consistency of the scale was assessed using the Omega coefficient and Cronbach’s Alpha.ResultsWith a sample of 1,013 pregnant women living in Spain and over 18 years of age, the mean age was 33 years. The scale showed a bifactor structure (anxiety and fear) that was confirmed with good fit parameters. Reliability was assessed in terms of internal consistency by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.95) and McDonald’s Omega coefficient (0.94) as indicators of robustness of the scale’s reliability.ConclusionThe AMICO_Pregnant scale of 16 items with scores ranging from 1 to 10 is a valid and reliable tool to assess levels of anxiety and fear of COVID_19 in Spanish pregnant women. Pregnant women have shown moderate levels of anxiety and fear regarding the COVID_19 disease in the final phase of the pandemic.

Assessment of Levels of Anxiety and Fear of Covid-19 in a Population of Pregnant Women in Spain

“…The reliability indices measured by both Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega were 0.95 and 0.94, respectively. The bivariate analysis showed statistically significant relationships between the AMICO_Pregnant scale and some of the assessed obstetric variables 39.…”

“…The Mann-Whitney U statistic confirmed the significant differences between the different levels, with values of p=0.001. 39…”