Anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Czech Republic—Broader sociodemographic causes, connections and implications

• Published in: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica Vol. 102; no. 8; pp. 1014 - 1025
• Main Authors: Krámská, Lenka, Slabá, Šárka, Hrešková, Lucia, Kajdy, Anna, Sys, Dorota, Poon, Liona, Calda, Pavel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.08.2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiety - diagnosis; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Czech Republic - epidemiology; depression; Depression - diagnosis; Female; Health risks; Humans; Mental depression; mental health; Original; Original s; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pregnancy; pregnant women; Pregnant Women - psychology; Prospective Studies; Questionnaires; risk factors; SARS-CoV-2; Sociodemographics; socioeconomic status; Czech Republic; anxiety; risk factors; pregnant women; mental health; covid-19; depression; socioeconomic status
• ISSN: 0001-6349; 1600-0412
• DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14601

Introduction Our study (part of multicentric “MindCOVID”) investigates risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. Material and methods The study used a prospective cross‐sectional design. Data was collected using an online self‐administered questionnaire. Standardized scales, general anxiety disorder (GAD)‐7 and patient health questionnaire (PHQ)‐9 were administered online. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, medical and psychological variables. Results The Czech sample included 1830 pregnant women. An increase of depressive and anxiety symptoms measured by PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7 in pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with unfavorable financial situation, low social and family support, psychological and medical problems before and during pregnancy and infertility treatment. Fear of being infected and adverse effect of COVID‐19, feeling of burden related to restrictions during delivery and organization of delivery and feeling of burden related to finances were associated with worse anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Social and emotional support and lack of financial worries are protective factors against mood disorders in pregnant women in relation to COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, adequate information about organization of delivery and additional support from healthcare professionals during the delivery are needed. Our findings can be used for preventive interventions, given that repeated pandemics in the future are anticipated. Anxiety and depressive symptoms had significant correlations with unfavorable financial situation, low emotional and social support, and health problems during pregnancy. Adequate information and support from healthcare professionals during the delivery are needed.