Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternal Anxiety in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have an effect on maternal anxiety and influence postpartum experience. Objective: To study the prevalence of maternal anxiety in late pregnancy in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil and to analyze its association with maternal knowledge and concerns about the pandemic. Methods: This was a national multicenter cross-sectional study performed in 10 different public university hospitals, between 1 June and 31 August 2020, in Brazil. The inclusion criteria were: maternal age more than 18 years; gestational age more than 36 weeks at childbirth; single alive newborn without malformations; and absence of mental disorders. We applied a structured questionnaire to explore the knowledge and concerns about COVID-19. Maternal anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: Of the 1662 women interviewed, the BAI score in late pregnancy indicated that 13.9% presented moderate and 9.6% severe maternal anxiety. Moderate or severe maternal anxiety was independently associated with the fear of being unaccompanied at childbirth (aOR1.12, 95% CI 1.10–1.35), and independent protective factors were confidence in knowing how to protect oneself from COVID-19 (aOR0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.97) and how to safely breastfeed (aOR0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on maternal anxiety.

Breastfeeding during a Pandemic

“…Previous studies have obtained similar results, confirming the association between breastfeeding and maternal mental health [14]. Given the increased risk of mental health issues during a pandemic, both in the general population [15] and especially in mothers [16], it is clear that breastfeeding is of fundamental importance for maternal well-being during this pandemic. Breastmilk is also known to have a strong immune value.…”

Considerações sobre a Psicologia Perinatal em um ambulatório público de pré-natal especializado em gestantes expostas à COVID-19

“…Uma pesquisa sobre ansiedade materna e pandemia mostrou em seus resultados que a região Centro-Oeste (junto com o Sul), na qual se encontra o Brasília, teve a maior prevalência de ansiedade e gravidade -nesta região, 39% das entrevistadas apresentaram sintomas classificados entre moderados ou severos, a maior taxa brasileira (Nomura et al 2021) Demais aspectos apresentados por diferentes estudos apontam para alguns fatores que podem contribuir para o aumento da ansiedade durante a pandemia, dentre eles o excesso de informação sobre o surto da COVID-19. Destacam ainda que a busca por informação atualizada é uma tentativa de se sentir seguro, porém o consumo exacerbado de informação tem gerado mais insegurança.…”

The Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Early Child Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…So far, there are studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in which the prevalence of pregnant women with moderate to severe anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic is given more precisely (Corbett et al, 2020 ; Hessami et al, 2020 ; Lebel et al, 2020 ; Mappa et al, 2020 ; Saccone et al, 2020 ; Fan et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2021 ; Tomfohr-Madsen et al, 2021 ). Accordingly, it ranges from: 23.4% found in Brazil (Nomura et al, 2021 ); the 29% was determined during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China (Wang et al, 2020 ), while 25% was determined by meta-analysis (Ren et al, 2020 ); the 38% was found in Poland (Nowacka et al, 2021 ); the elevated level of the trait (38.2%) and state anxiety (77%) was found in Italy (Mappa et al, 2020 ). Higher prevalence in the range from 53 to 72% was found in other countries (Corbett et al, 2020 ; Dagklis et al, 2020 ; Davenport et al, 2020 ; Hessami et al, 2020 ; Lebel et al, 2020 ; Saccone et al, 2020 ; Sut and Kucukkaya, 2020 ).…”