Comparison of sleep quality among puerperal women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Lanzhou, China

Abstract

Purpose Few studies have yet examined sleep quality among puerperal women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the sleep quality of puerperal women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lanzhou, China. The study exploreed the factors that affect sleep quality among puerperal women. Methods The study population comprised puerperal women who went to the obstetric department of the Gansu Provincial Maternity and Childcare Hospital on the 42nd day after childbirth. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were collected by doctors in the obstetric department before the COVID-19 pandemic (Oct.-Dec. 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (Feb.-Apr. 2020) in China. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the association between the sleep quality of puerperal women and COVID-19 and to identify factors that affect the total PSQI scores. Results In 2019, 546 puerperal women were assessed compared with 655 who were assessed in 2020. Compared with before COVID-19, the total PSQI scores of puerperal women improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the influencing factors of sleep quality among puerperal women were the pandemic itself, age, conception method, and postpartum depression (PPD). Conclusions In contrast with other studies, there was no evidence for worsening sleep quality of puerperal women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lanzhou, China. Puerperal women who underwent assisted pregnancy or developed PPD were more likely to experience poor sleep quality.

Fatigue, sleep quality and mental health symptoms in Brazilian women during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal study

“…Although fatigue worsened between the moments evaluated by the study, there was no worsening in sleep quality, reaching a rate of 79.6% of the sample in the second year, lower than in the first year of the pandemic, where 84.7% of women had poor sleep or sleep disorder. Similarly, Li et al (2022) evaluated the sleep quality in postpartum women in China, before and during the pandemic, and found that there was no worsening in sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. They bring as possible hypotheses to this finding, such as the longer time with the family and Chinese government policies to guarantee food and medication to the population 32 .…”

“…Similarly, Li et al (2022) evaluated the sleep quality in postpartum women in China, before and during the pandemic, and found that there was no worsening in sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. They bring as possible hypotheses to this finding, such as the longer time with the family and Chinese government policies to guarantee food and medication to the population 32 . It is important to emphasize that, as in mental health, a high number of women had this problem, which increases the importance of evaluating and seeking methods to improve these variables.…”

Study characteristical and regional influences on postpartum depression before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Five of the included studies detected the mental health of women within 2 weeks postpartum ( 13 , 15 , 28 , 33 , 35 ) and the other 17 studies recorded the mental health of the women within a longer time after delivery. The study quality of 11 studies were high ( 14 – 17 , 25 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 39 ) and the other 11 studies were moderate. Nine studies which used the EPDS scale chose a cut-off value of 9–11 ( 12 , 17 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 39 ), while another eight studies chose a cut-off value of ≥13 ( 14 – 16 , 25 , 29 – 31 , 33 ).…”

“…A total of 22 studies with 11,836 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe and 15,098 before the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe were included in this meta-analysis. Among the 22 studies, 11 studies were conducted in Europe [two in Belgium ( 14 , 37 ), two in Italy ( 15 , 33 ), two in Spain ( 32 , 34 ), one in Russia ( 39 ) and remaining four were in Germany ( 17 ), Norway ( 26 ), Poland ( 24 ) and Netherlands ( 25 )], six studies were conducted in Asia [two in Japan ( 12 , 27 ), two in China ( 28 , 30 ) and two in Israel ( 13 , 35 )], three studies were conducted in North America [two in Canada ( 16 , 29 ) and one in the United States ( 38 )] and the remaining two studies were conducted in Brazil ( 31 ) and Kenya ( 36 ). Four of the included studies were conducted in developing countries ( 28 , 30 , 31 , 36 ) and the remaining 18 studies were conducted in developed countries.…”

“…Among the 22 studies, 11 studies were conducted in Europe [two in Belgium ( 14 , 37 ), two in Italy ( 15 , 33 ), two in Spain ( 32 , 34 ), one in Russia ( 39 ) and remaining four were in Germany ( 17 ), Norway ( 26 ), Poland ( 24 ) and Netherlands ( 25 )], six studies were conducted in Asia [two in Japan ( 12 , 27 ), two in China ( 28 , 30 ) and two in Israel ( 13 , 35 )], three studies were conducted in North America [two in Canada ( 16 , 29 ) and one in the United States ( 38 )] and the remaining two studies were conducted in Brazil ( 31 ) and Kenya ( 36 ). Four of the included studies were conducted in developing countries ( 28 , 30 , 31 , 36 ) and the remaining 18 studies were conducted in developed countries. Five of the included studies detected the mental health of women within 2 weeks postpartum ( 13 , 15 , 28 , 33 , 35 ) and the other 17 studies recorded the mental health of the women within a longer time after delivery.…”