Psychological response of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we explore anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in women in the process of pregnancy during lockdown due to the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a tertiary referral level hospital. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pregnant women at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza (Spain), from April 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020. A total of 168 women was recruited when they went to the hospital for a routine blood test for pregnancy. They answered a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, the Spielberg state-trait anxiety questionnaire for anxiety, and a visual analog scale for fear of COVID. RESULTS: Frequency of Trait anxiety was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.7-58.7) and 52.7% (95% CI: 44.7-60.7) for State anxiety. The mean visual analog scale for fear of COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy was 57.2 (95% CI: 52.4-61.8). A positive correlation was found between the scales. Statistically significant differences were found between rural and urban areas. CONCLUSION: The emotional impact of the COVID-19 is high among pregnant women and the levels of anxiety are higher than usual in these groups of women during the pandemic lockdown.

Psychological response of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown / Resposta psicológica de mulheres grávidas durante o lockdown da pandemia de COVID-19 Respuesta psicológica de las mujeres embarazadas durante el confinamiento por la pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study we explore anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in women in the process of pregnancy during lockdown due to the SARS CoV-2 pandemic and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a tertiary referral level hospital. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pregnant women at the Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital in Zaragoza (Spain), from April 15, 2020 to May 15, 2020. A total of 168 women was recruited when they went to the hospital for a routine blood test for pregnancy. They answered a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, the Spielberg state-trait anxiety questionnaire for anxiety, and a visual analog scale for fear of COVID. Results: Frequency of Trait anxiety was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.7-58.7) and 52.7% (95% CI: 44.7-60.7) for State anxiety. The mean visual analog scale for fear of COVID-19 in relation to pregnancy was 57.2 (95% CI: 52.4-61.8). A positive correlation was found between the scales. Statistically significant differences were found between rural and urban areas. Conclusion: The emotional impact of the COVID-19 is high among pregnant women and the levels of anxiety are higher than usual in these groups of women during the pandemic lockdown.

RESUMEN Objetivo: En este estudio exploramos la ansiedad y el miedo al COVID-19 en mujeres en proceso de embarazo durante el confinamiento por la pandemia de SARS CoV-2 y su relación con factores sociodemográficos y clínicos en un hospital de tercer nivel de referencia. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en mujeres embarazadas en el Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa de Zaragoza (España), desde el 15 de abril de 2020 al 15 de mayo de 2020. Se reclutó a un total de 168 mujeres cuando fueron al hospital para un análisis de sangre de rutina para control durante el embarazo. Respondieron un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos y clínicos, el cuestionario de ansiedad estado-rasgo de Spielberg para la ansiedad y una escala visual analógica para el miedo a la COVID. Resultados: La frecuencia de ansiedad rasgo fue del 50,7% (IC 95%: 42,7-58,7) y del 52,7% (IC 95%: 44,7-60,7) para la ansiedad estado. La media de la escala analógica visual de miedo a la COVID-19 en relación al embarazo fue de 57,2 (IC 95%: 52,4-61,8). Se encontró una correlación positiva entre las escalas. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las zonas rurales y urbanas. Conclusión: El impacto emocional de la COVID-19 es alto entre las mujeres embarazadas y los niveles de ansiedad son más altos de lo habitual en estos grupos de mujeres durante el confinamiento pandémico.

A comparative study of life skills, lifestyle habits and academic performance in health promoting and non-health promoting schools in the Autonomous Community of Aragon, Spain.

Background: There is insufficient evidence about the impact of health promoting schools on the student's health and academic performance. The aim of this study was to compare the life skills, lifestyle habits and academic performance of 7th and 8th grade students registered in health promoting and non-health promoting schools in the Autonomous Community of Aragon. Methods: An observational, descriptive, comparative study of the life skills, lifestyle habits and academic performance of 7th and 8th grade students registered in 43 randomly selected health promoting and non-health promoting schools was carried out. We used an adapted tool, which was validated through the expert panel technique, to evaluate the students' life skills (self-efficacy, social skills and affect balance), lifestyle habits (diet, sleep, physical exercise, use of screen and substance abuse) and academic performance. Results: The socioeconomic level of the mothers and fathers of the students who attended non-health promoting schools was significantly higher than that of the parents of the adolescents who attended health promoting schools (p < 0.001). The students who attended non-health promoting schools had better self-efficacy, led a healthier life generally and achieved better academic results (p = 0.03). Conclusions: As opposed to previous studies, which found a positive association between health promoting schools and life skills, lifestyle habits and academic performance, our findings suggest that the impact of these health programs on the students' health and academic performance is limited. We recommend that the degree of implementation of health promotion programs in health promoting schools is systematically evaluated, and the health promoting school accreditation process and requirements reviewed, in order to ensure that the health of school children and adolescents is safeguarded and promoted in the short, medium and long term.