Sexual Function, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Under Strain of COVID-19 Pandemic in Iranian Pregnant and Lactating Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of pregnant and lactating women is unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) in Iranian pregnant and lactating women and compare the results with non-pregnant /lactating (as the control group). Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out on pregnant and lactating women as case groups, with non-pregnant /lactating women as control. Patients were asked to complete three questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). One-way ANOVA was used to reveal the statistical differences between the three groups. Result The mean age of patients was 20.81 ± 5.92 years old. Evaluation of the three groups with regard to HADS and SF-12 showed that all mean values were lower in pregnant women than in other groups. Also, the differences in scores in the three groups were statistically significant (P˂0.001). The comparison of FSFI scores showed that the mean of all domain and total scores were significantly lower in pregnant women compared with other groups. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant during desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, and total score (P˂0.001). Conclusion The COVID-19 epidemic increases the risk of depression, anxiety, FSD, and lowers QoL in pregnant and lactating women, with the general population. This suggests the urgent need for psychological intervention in the maternal population during the epidemic.