PMH4 The Psychological and Behavioral Responses to Covid-19 Epidemic in Pregnant Women in China: A Nationwide Survey

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To investigate the psychological and behavioral responses of pregnant women to COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out between Feb 13-16, 2020, where 1908 pregnant women responded. Participants were pregnant women who had registered with the Banmi Online Maternity School, one of the largest national online platforms for maternity college in China. This study used linear and logistic regression to evaluate the influence of demographic factors on psychological and behavioral responses of pregnant women in China to COVID-19 outbreak, and used structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the relative strength of associations between psychological and behavioral responses assessed by PCL-C, EPDS and, stress level as well as preventive behavioral adjustment scales in a sample of 1908 pregnant women in China. Results: Among the 1908 respondents, 1099 met criteria for a positive screening for postpartum depression, and 287 met the criteria for a positive screening for PTSD, where 264 women exceeds the cut-off points for both. We found that women with lower educational level tended to have higher scores of PCL-C, and EPDS scales as well as stress level and behavioral adjustment;and more were regarded as suspected PTSD and probable PPD. Moreover, the SEM analysis showed the highest effect of psychological responses on behavioral responses in the pregnant women was exerted on stress (coefficient =0.376, P<0.001), and Fear of infection (coefficient =-0.747, P<0.001). Conclusions: The psychological states of pregnant women under the COVID-19 epidemic was lower-estimated, and psychoeducation as well as other psychological intervention may be needed to equip both the affected pregnant women and family members with healthy problem-solving and communication skills and provide education and resources about the mental health condition that the pregnant women is experiencing.