Factors related to Pregnancy Status Among Lebanese Women During COVID-19 Confinement

Abstract

Background: During the coronavirus disease confinement, couples are likely to spend more free time together at home, which could have a positive impact on the amount and level of intimacy. However, home confinement and lockdowns have created challenges and vulnerabilities, causing relevant changes in sexual health and couple stability, particularly in women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the socio-economic and psychological factors related to current pregnancy status and unwanted pregnancy among a sample of Lebanese women during the COVID-19 lockdown.Methods: A cross-sectional online-based study was conducted between June 8 and August 1, 2020, among 369 Lebanese women. The questionnaire developed on Google Forms was distributed through social media and WhatsApp groups, using the snowball technique. The current pregnancy status and unwanted pregnancy were assessed using binary questions (Yes/No).Results: Our results showed that 11.1% of women were pregnant, of whom 22.0% reported unwanted pregnancies. Having children (ORa=0.183) and using contraceptives (ORa=0.231) were at lower odds of getting pregnant. Higher psychological violence would negatively affect pregnancy, but the association tended to significance (p=0.065). Also, regular visits to the physician for routine checkups (ORa=0.053) were significantly associated with lower odds of unwanted pregnancy. Higher psychological violence would affect unwanted pregnancy; however, the association tended to significance (p=0.056). Conclusion: Our main findings indicate that women of younger age, smoking less, and never working were at a higher probability of being pregnant. Furthermore, psychological violence tended to be an associated factor for current pregnancy status and unwanted pregnancy. More information and awareness are needed to encourage women to conceive and maintain their well-being during a pandemic.

Psychological impact of domestic violence on women in India due to COVID-19

“…Haddad et al (2021) find that psychological violence experiences are negatively associated with women’s pregnancy but positively associated with unwanted pregnancies during the lockdown period, though neither result was statistically significant. For this research, the authors used a study of 369 Lebanese women on the drivers of pregnancy outcomes during the COVID-19 period.…”

“…Research conducted by Haddad et al (2020) on “The impact of COVID-19 on Rohingya and Bangladeshi adolescents” find that 8% of surveyed adolescents (boys and girls) reported an increase in gender-based violence during the pandemic. The authors used 1,761 phone surveys and 30 qualitative interviews of adolescent boys and girls in Bangladesh for this study.…”