Pregnancy with Anxiety and Depression during Covid-19 Pandemic: A single Centre Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Corona-virus pandemic has become a major health problem worldwide. It evokes mental health disorders affecting the population globally, especially pregnant women and is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.The aim of the study was to assess anxiety and depression in pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic.Material & Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Islami Bank Central Hospital Kakrail, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Pregnant women visiting the gynae&obs outpatient department, and women who had recently delivered in the gynae ward (in the past 15 days) were included in the study and asked to fill out a questionnaire.Results:A total of 152 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this study. Out of the total, 108 (71.05%) of the patients were less than 30 years, 38 (25.00%) were between 31 and 35 years old, and only 6 (3.95%) were older than 35 years. We found that 103(67.76%) of pregnant women had developed mental health disorders during this pandemic and there is a need to reform policies for the care and counseling of pregnant women as they are particularly susceptible.Conclusions:This study examined the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the women thought COVID-19 could affect their pregnancy. Proper screening and diagnosis would bring early treatment to the needy thus preventing complications to both the mother and the newborn.