ABSTRACT
AIM: To examine the relationship between the COVID-19 phobia and perinatal anxiety levels and birth type preferences of pregnant women in the third trimester. DESIGN: This was designed a cross-sectional study using the non-random convenience sampling method following the STROBE checklist. METHODS: The research was conducted with 315 pregnant women from April to May 2021. Data were collected using a personal information form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale, and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS). RESULTS: We found a positive and moderate correlation between the total scores for perinatal anxiety and COVID-19 phobia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 4.1% of the participants changed their birth type preferences and this change was statistically significant according to McNemar's test. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the women changed their birth type preferences in favour of caesarean section. However, there was no statistically significant difference between those who changed their birth type preferences and those who did not in terms of perinatal anxiety or COVID-19 phobia levels. Women with no access to prenatal follow-up visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic had higher mean PASS scores and higher mean scores for the perfectionism, control and trauma subscale. The scores for general worry and specific fears were lower among individuals who had obtained information about birth types in prenatal follow-up visits. Also, perinatal anxiety and COVID-19 phobia levels were higher among pregnant women who were worried about giving birth in hospital compared to those who were not worried. CONCLUSION: We conclude that COVID-19 phobia has increased women's perinatal anxiety, causing them to change their birth type preferences in favour of caesarean section. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: We recommended that healthcare professionals take COVID-19 phobia and perinatal anxiety into account when counselling pregnant women about birth types to improve prenatal care. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was required to design, to outcome measures or undertake this research. Patients/members of the public contributed only to the data collection. Data were obtained from pregnant women in the third trimester, who came to a regional hospital-affiliated obstetrics polyclinic for routine prenatal follow-up visits.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: To explore nurses' personal, social and professional experiences in COVID-19 emergency departments and intensive care units based on the Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory. DESIGN: This study used an interpretive qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Open-ended interviews were conducted between August and November 2020 with 21 nurses using interview questions based on the Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory. Data were analysed using steps informed by hermeneutic phenomenology and reported using Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. FINDINGS: Data were grouped under five categories with 10 themes based on the Reconceptualized Uncertainty in Illness Theory: 'antecedents of uncertainty', 'appraisal of uncertainty', 'coping with uncertainty', 'probabilistic thinking' and 'formation of a new life perspective'. Nurses reported that they experienced uncertainty about being infected and infecting others with COVID-19 as well as caring for COVID-19 patients. Despite the uncertainties related to COVID-19, nurses were determined to focus on caring for COVID-19 patients by prioritizing their professional identity and responsibilities. They described feeling motivated by patients' positive feedback, which also increased their professional satisfaction. They realized that caring was therapeutic not only for their patients, but also for them. They experienced empowerment in the care team through active reuse of their prior knowledge and experience and expanded decision-making roles. They also emphasized that they perceived the COVID-19 pandemic as a unique experience for their individual and professional growth. CONCLUSION: Nurses experienced multiple sources of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. To manage uncertainty, they used strategies including focusing on patient care and satisfaction. Additionally, they made sense of their experience by acknowledging individual and professional growth. IMPACT: This study has a potential impact to support healthcare policymakers to meet the needs of nurses in possible future pandemics.