ABSTRACT
Studies have indicated shortcomings in food safety knowledge and practices among pregnant women in the Arab region. A high-risk group for having severe outcomes from foodborne illnesses. This study aimed to assess self-reported food safety knowledge and practices among pregnant women in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 354 pregnant women residing in the UAE completed an online survey between October 2021 and January 2022. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, food safety knowledge, and food practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Correct answers for food safety knowledge were scored out of 50 and the total score was compared by sociodemographic characteristics. The total mean score for the study population was 26.7 ± 4.6 out of 50. Participants had good knowledge about foodborne diseases (81.3%) and personal hygiene practices (61.8%). While they were least knowledgeable about cross-contamination (43.3%) and temperature control practices (35.8%). Significantly higher knowledge scores were observed with higher levels of education and primigravida women (p<0.05). Knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and its relation to food safety was adequate for most participants. This study infers the need for food safety-related education and training programs to reduce the risk of foodborne disease among this vulnerable group. It also highlights the need to enhance the role of healthcare professionals as trusted sources of information in improving food safety during pregnancy.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Foodborne Diseases , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Pregnant Women , United Arab Emirates/epidemiology , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Food Safety , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , GravidityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In light of the pandemic, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to increased psychological distress and in need of imperative preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on mental health, lifestyle adaptations, and their determinants among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A survey was conducted electronically between June and August 2020. Pregnant women were recruited from prenatal clinics in the UAE and invited to participate in an online survey developed on Google Forms. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale- Revised, the Perceived Support Scale and lifestyle-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 384 pregnant women completed the questionnaire of whom 20.6% were in their 1st trimester, 46.1% in their 2nd and 33.3% in their 3rd trimester. The mean IES-R score for the respondents was 26.15 ± 13.55, corresponding to a mild stressful impact, which did not differ significantly among trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant women expressed increased stress from staying home (64%), work (40%), feeling frightened (66%) and apprehensive (59%). Women reported increased support and sharing their feelings with family members (59%), mainly in the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy (P < 0.05). There was a greater attention to mental health (48%), resting time (55.3%), and relaxing time (57.3%); while a decreased amount of time was spent engaging in physical activities (53.6%), which differed significantly between trimesters (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a mild stressful impact among pregnant women in the UAE, braced by strong family support and self-care mental health behaviors.