Fear and Anxiety in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the 2020–2022 pandemic on the levels of fear and anxiety in pregnant women and to identify risk and protective factors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were consulted for studies published between January 2020 and August 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool for non-randomised studies. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. A high prevalence of levels of fear and anxiety were observed. Risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor support from partners, or intolerance of uncertainty were identified for high levels of fear. Regarding anxiety, risk factors such as maternal age, social support, financial status, or concern about being able to maintain antenatal follow-ups were identified. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of pregnant women through increased levels of fear and anxiety. It has not been possible to establish a relationship between significant factors such as gestational age or health emergency control measures with high levels of fear or anxiety.

Fear and Anxiety in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the 2020-2022 pandemic on the levels of fear and anxiety in pregnant women and to identify risk and protective factors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were consulted for studies published between January 2020 and August 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool for non-randomised studies. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. A high prevalence of levels of fear and anxiety were observed. Risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor support from partners, or intolerance of uncertainty were identified for high levels of fear. Regarding anxiety, risk factors such as maternal age, social support, financial status, or concern about being able to maintain antenatal follow-ups were identified. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of pregnant women through increased levels of fear and anxiety. It has not been possible to establish a relationship between significant factors such as gestational age or health emergency control measures with high levels of fear or anxiety.

Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.

Background: COVID-19 has caused a series of economic, social, personal, and occupational consequences that may affect the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), with the consequent risk of developing suicidal ideation and behaviors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the main risk factors that may predispose HCWs to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review of studies published between January 2020 and August 2022 was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Methodological quality was assessed using the critical appraisal tools for non-randomized studies of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The followed protocol is listed in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with code CRD42022340732. Results: A total of 34 studies were included in this review. There are a number of underlying factors such as higher rates of depression, anxiety, pre-pandemic lifetime mental disorders or previous lifetime suicide attempt, living alone, having problems with alcohol and/or other drugs, etc. that favor the emergence of suicidal tendencies and ideation in times of COVID-19. Similarly, the pandemic may have precipitated a series of factors such as economic concerns, assessing one's working conditions as poor, having family members or friends infected, changes in services or functions, and feeling discriminated against or stigmatized by society. Other factors such as age, sex, or type of healthcare worker show differences between studies. Conclusion: Organizations should ensure the adoption of strategies and programmes for early detection of suicides as well as increased attention to the mental health of professions with a high workload. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022340732.

Infección por coronavirus Covid-19 y lactancia materna: una revisión exploratoria

OBJETIVO: El nuevo coronavirus es una enfermedad infecciosa causada por el virus SARS-Cov-2, considerada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) una emergencia de salud pública de interés internacional (ESPII), la cual podría tener consecuencias negativas durante la lactancia materna. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer el plan de actuación sobre la lactancia materna ante una mujer recién parida enferma de SARS-CoV-2 y su recién nacido. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura a través de las bases de datos Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, BVS y Cuiden. Se evaluó la calidad metodológica de los artículos mediante la herramienta "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation"(GRADE). No se registró en PROSPERO. RESULTADOS: En total se encontraron 14 documentos, de los cuales 9 estudios empíricos estaban realizados mayormente en China, Italia, EEUU y Australia, estando basados en 114 madres infectadas de coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 y sus respectivos recién nacidos. Los estudios analizados afirmaron que lo mejor para el recién nacido es ser alimentado con la leche materna, ya que se analizaron muestras de leche de madres infectadas por coronavirus detectándose la presencia de anticuerpos del virus en las mismas, siendo un factor protector contra la infección del virus. CONCLUSIONES: La lactancia materna en recién paridas con SARS-CoV-2 es muy recomendable para el recién nacido, si el estado de salud de la madre y del neonato lo permiten, favoreciéndose el amamantamiento de forma directa y teniendo siempre las medidas adecuadas de higiene respiratoria. En el caso de que el estado de salud de la madre no permita el amamantamiento directo se debería alimentar con leche materna extraída previamente de su madre y sin pasteurizar, o procedente de un banco de leche BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus, considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) an international public health emergency that may have negative consequences during breastfeeding. The objective of this work is to investigate the action plan on breastfeeding in postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 and her newborn. METHODS: A literature search has been conducted through the Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, BVS, and Cuiden databases. The methodological quality of the articles has been assessed using the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation"(GRADE). This study has not been registered in PROSPERO. RESULTS: A total of 14 documents have been found, of which 9 are observational empirical studies. Most of the studies were conducted in China, Italy, the USA, and Australia. A total of 114 mothers infected with coronavirus with their respective newborns have been assessed. The analyzed investigations state that it is best for the newborn to be breastfed;given that mother's milk samples were analyzed, detecting the presence of antibodies of the coronavirus in them, being a protective factor against infection. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding in postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended for the newborn, if the health of the mother and newborn allow it. When direct breastfeeding is favoured, the appropriate respiratory hygiene measures always have to be considered. Whether the mother's health does not permit direct breastfeeding, her breast milk should be previously extracted and kept unpasteurized. To secure the newborn feeding, milk banks are also an appropriate option

[Coronavirus Covid-19 infection and breastfeeding: an exploratory review]

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus, considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) an international public health emergency that may have negative consequences during breastfeeding. The objective of this work is to investigate the action plan on breastfeeding in postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 and her newborn. METHODS: A literature search has been conducted through the Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, BVS, and Cuiden databases. The methodological quality of the articles has been assessed using the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation" (GRADE). This study has not been registered in PROSPERO. RESULTS: A total of 14 documents have been found, of which 9 are observational empirical studies. Most of the studies were conducted in China, Italy, the USA, and Australia. A total of 114 mothers infected with coronavirus with their respective newborns have been assessed. The analyzed investigations state that it is best for the newborn to be breastfed;given that mother's milk samples were analyzed, detecting the presence of antibodies of the coronavirus in them, being a protective factor against infection. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding in postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended for the newborn, if the health of the mother and newborn allow it. When direct breastfeeding is favoured, the appropriate respiratory hygiene measures always have to be considered. Whether the mother's health does not permit direct breastfeeding, her breast milk should be previously extracted and kept unpasteurized. To secure the newborn feeding, milk banks are also an appropriate option.