Mental health indicators in pregnant women compared with women in the general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Denmark

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and the associated regulations issued to minimize risk of disease transmission seem to have had an impact on general mental health in most populations, but it may have affected pregnant women even more because of pregnancy‐related uncerta...

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Published in:Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 2021-11, Vol.100 (11), p.2009-2018
Main Authors: Severinsen, Elin R., Kähler, Lise K. A., Thomassen, Sofie E., Varga, Tibor V., Fich Olsen, Line, Hviid, Kathrine V. R., la Cour Freiesleben, Nina, Rod, Naja H., Nielsen, Henriette S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
coronavirus disease 2019
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease prevention
Disease transmission
Loneliness
Mental disorders
Mental health
Original
Pandemics
Population
Pregnancy
Questionnaires
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Social isolation
Womens health
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Summary:Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and the associated regulations issued to minimize risk of disease transmission seem to have had an impact on general mental health in most populations, but it may have affected pregnant women even more because of pregnancy‐related uncertainties, limited access to healthcare resources, and lack of social support. We aimed to compare the mental health response among pregnant women with that in similarly aged women from the general population during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Material and methods From April 14 to July 3, 2020, 647 pregnant women in their second trimester were enrolled in this study. For comparison, 858 women from the general Danish population (20–46 years) were sampled from an ongoing observational study. Participants responded to a questionnaire including six mental health indicators (concern level, perceived social isolation, quality of life, anxiety, mental health, and loneliness). Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Three‐item Loneliness Scale and anxiety by the Common Mental Health Disorder Questionnaire 4‐item Anxiety Subscale. Results The pregnant women had better scores during the entire study period for all mental health indicators, and except for concerns, social isolation, and mental health, the differences were also statistically significant. Pregnant women were more concerned about becoming seriously ill (40.2% vs. 29.5%, p 
ISSN:0001-6349
1600-0412
DOI:10.1111/aogs.14258