Development of Anxiety Symptoms in Obstetric Patients during Current Covid 19 Crisis

Faiza Abrar; Seema Gul; Atikka Masud; Azra Saeed Awan; Saniya Naheed; Muhammad Hashim

Faiza Abrar Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi
Seema Gul Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Watim Medical and Dental College, Rawalpindi
Atikka Masud Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi.
Azra Saeed Awan Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi.
Saniya Naheed Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department: Hazrat Barri Sarkar Medical and Dental College, Islamabad.
Muhammad Hashim Student of final year MBBS, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabd.

Keywords: Pandemic, Anxiety

Abstract

Objective: To assess the development of anxiety symptoms in obstetric patients during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional investigation was executed at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March 2020 to August 2020. Total of 300 pregnant women attending in antenatal clinics was selected through a purposive sampling technique. Employing the criteria defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), an 8-item self-administered questionnaire was created. This instrument utilized a 2-point Likert scale (1=agree, 2=disagree) to gauge the presence of COVID-19-induced anxiety among pregnant women. The study's inclusion criteria stipulated women with a sole viable fetus confirmed via ultrasonography and a documented history of at least two antenatal visits. Recordings encompassed the frequencies of outcome variables in conjunction with pertinent demographic attributes, encompassing age, gestational age, parity, and education status.

Results: The study comprised 300 pregnant women (n=300). The women presented a mean age of 31.71±5.26 years, a mean parity of 3.18±3.5, and an average gravidity of 2.18±1.74, accompanied by a mean gestational age of 29.4±7.57 weeks. Findings highlight that nearly half of the participants encountered anxiety symptoms, embracing challenges in concentrating on daily routines (56%), harboring apprehensions of COVID-19 transmission to themselves and their families (56%), grappling with escalated muscle fatigue (51%), experiencing sleep disturbances (50%), contending with perturbing ruminations and restlessness (47%), and demonstrating instances of aggressive behavior (37%).

Conclusion: The outcomes of our study indicate the development of anxiety symptoms among pregnant women attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most frequent symptoms were difficulty in concentrating on routine daily work and the fear of acquiring COVID-19 by themselves as well as by their families.