scholarly journals Mental Health and Meditation Practices of Pregnant Women during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
Jeni Green ◽  
Chad Stecher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women

scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Prenatal Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Behaviours in the Volta Region of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5857
Author(s):  
Nuworza Kugbey ◽  
Martin Ayanore ◽  
Phidelia Doegah ◽  
Masauso Chirwa ◽  
Susan A. Bartels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Prenatal Depression ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Volta Region

Pregnancy is associated with several physical and psychosocial challenges that influence women’s health and wellbeing. However, prenatal mental health has received little attention. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of prenatal depression, anxiety and current suicidal behaviors among pregnant women in the Volta Region of Ghana. Two hundred and fourteen (n = 214) pregnant women recruited from two hospitals responded to the hospital depression and anxiety scale (HADS), the insomnia severity index, and a set of psycho-behavioral, socioenvironmental and demographic characteristic questions. Chi-squared, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for data analysis. Prevalence of prenatal depression, anxiety and current suicidal behaviors was 50.5%, 35.5% and 3.3%, respectively. After controlling for other variables, average monthly income, insomnia, non-nutritious food consumption (pica), and body image satisfaction were significantly associated with depression. Marital status, insomnia, lifetime suicidal behavior and partner support were significantly associated with anxiety. Current partner abuse was the only factor significantly associated with current suicidal behavior. The high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression among pregnant women and intimate partner violence remain important maternal health issues in the region. Therefore, brief mental health screening and counseling services should be integrated into prenatal healthcare services.

scholarly journals The hidden burden of adolescent pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka; findings of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilini Chanchala Agampodi ◽  
Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe ◽  
Hemali Gayathri Jayakodi ◽  
Gayani Shashikala Amarasinghe ◽  
Janith Niwanthaka Warnasekara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Ultra Sound ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Pregnancy Cohort ◽  
Contraceptive Usage ◽  
Adolescent Pregnancies

Abstract Background Adolescent fertility is a main indicator of the Sustainable Developmental Goal (SGD) three. Although Sri Lanka is exemplary in maternal health, the utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health services (SRH) by adolescents is less documented. We describe the hidden burden, associated biological and psychosocial factors and utilization patterns of pre-conceptional services among pregnant adolescents in rural Sri Lanka. Methods The study is based on the baseline assessment of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo) in Anuradhapura. Pregnant women newly registered from July to September 2019 were recruited to the study. The period of gestation was confirmed during the second follow-up visit (around 25–28 weeks of gestation) using ultra sound scan data. A history, clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, blood investigations were conducted. Mental health status was assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Results Baseline data on gestation was completed by 3,367 pregnant women. Of them, 254 (7.5%) were adolescent pregnancies. Among the primigravida mothers (n = 1037), 22.4% (n = 233) were adolescent pregnancies. Maternal and paternal low education level, being unmarried, and less time since marriage were statistically significant factors associated with adolescent pregnancies (p < 0.05). Contraceptive usage before pregnancy, utilization of pre-conceptional health care services, planning pregnancy and consuming folic acid was significantly low among adolescents (p < 0.001). They also had low body mass index (p < 0.001) and low hemoglobin levels (p = 0.03). Adolescent mothers were less happy of being pregnant (p = 0.006) and had significantly higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.009). Conclusion One fifth of women in their first pregnancy in this study population are adolescents. Nulli-parous adolescents exert poor social stability and compromised physical and mental health effects. The underutilization and/or unavailability of SRH services is clearly associated with adolescent pregnancies.

scholarly journals Mental health and preventive behaviour of pregnant women in China during the early phase of the COVID-19 period

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wang ◽  
Phoenix K. H. Mo ◽  
Bo Song ◽  
Jiang-Li Di ◽  
Feng-Rong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Regression Analyses

Abstract Background The COVID-19 has caused significant toll over the globe. Pregnant women are at risk of infection. The present study examined the frequency of washing hands with soap and wearing face mask when going out, prevalence of depression and anxiety, and identified their associated factors among pregnant women during the early phase of COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 24 February and 3 March 2020. A total of 15 428 pregnant women who were using maternal health care services in China completed a questionnaire which assessed their socio-demographic and pregnancy-related characteristics, contextual, cognitive and social factors related to COVID-19, frequency of washing hands and wearing face masks, and depression and anxiety. Logistics regression analyses were performed to identify the associated factors of preventive behaviours and mental health. Results The prevalence of probable anxiety and depression was 28.2% and 43.6% respectively. 19.8% reported always wearing face mask when going out, and 19.1% reported washing hands with soap for more than 10 times per day. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that older age was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (OR = 0.42–0.67) and higher frequency of washing hands (OR = 1.57–3.40). Higher level of education level was associated with probable depression (OR = 1.31–1.45) and higher frequency of wearing face mask (OR = 1.50–1.57). After adjusting for significant socio-demographic and pregnancy-related factors, place of residence being locked down (aOR = 1.10–1.11), being quarantined (aOR = 1.42–1.57), personally knowing someone being infected with COVID-19 (aOR = 1.80–1.92), perception that COVID-19 would pose long term physical harm to human (aOR = 1.25–1.28) were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, while the perception that the disease will be under control in the coming month was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (aOR = 0.59–0.63) and lower tendency of always wearing face mask (aOR = 0.85). Social support was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (aOR = 0.86–0,87) and higher frequency of washing hands (aOR = 1.06). Conclusions The mental health and preventive behaviours of pregnant women during COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a range of socio-demographic, pregnancy-related, contextual, cognitive and social factors. Interventions to mitigate their mental health problems and to promote preventive behaviours are highly warranted.

Mental Health Status of Pregnant Women and Breastfeeding Mothers During COVID-19 Outbreak in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nusrat Sharmin ◽  
Zakia Lubna ◽  
Fatema Akhter Hiramoni ◽  
Tanima Sharker ◽  
Md Zahir Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mental Health Status

Does Physical Exercise Help Maintain Mental Health During Pregnancy? A Comparison of Changes in Mental Health in Participants of Physical Exercise Classes and Childbirth Classes

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Guszkowska ◽  
Marta Langwald ◽  
Katarzyna Sempolska
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Exercise Classes

Background:This study aims to compare the changes in the negative indices of mental health in pregnant women who participated in programs of either physical exercise classes or childbirth classes.Methods:The study was quasi-experimental in nature and run on 109 healthy primigravidae aged from 22 to 37, including 62 women participating in an exercise program (exercise group, E-group) for pregnant women and 47 women attending traditional childbirth classes (childbirth classes group, CC-group). The mental health assessment was performed using Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).Results:The negative indices of mental health did not change over time. Lower levels of somatic symptoms and severe depression, as well as total score, were observed in the E-group (condition effect). Time × condition interactions, as well as analysis of change within the groups, indicated that in the CC-group all indices of disorders increased significantly, whereas in the E-group, only the increase of depression was significant.Conclusions:Regular physical exercises during pregnancy may constitute a factor in the prophylaxis of mental health disorders in pregnant women.

scholarly journals Women’s demand for late-term abortion: A social or psychiatric issue?

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 660-666
Author(s):  
Gordana Nikolic ◽  
Ljiljana Samardzic ◽  
Miroslav Krstic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Unwanted Pregnancy ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Psychiatric Evaluation ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Psychiatric Issue ◽  
Gestational Week

Introduction/Aim. Induced termination of unwanted pregnancy after 12th gestational week (late-term abortion) is legally restricted in Serbia as well as in many other countries. On the other hand, unwanted pregnancy very often brings women into the state of personal crisis. Psychiatric indications for legally approved late-term abortion on women?s demand include only severe psychiatric disorders. The aim of this paper was to compare sociodemographic, psychological characteristics and claimed reasons for abortion in the two groups of women with late-term demand for abortion - the group of women satisfying legally prescribed mental health indications, and the group of women not satisfying these indications. The aim of the study was also to determine predictive validity of the abovementioned parameters for late-term abortion as the outcome of unwanted pregnancy. Methods. A total of 62 pregnant women with demand for late-term abortion were divided into two groups according to the criteria of satisfying or not satisfying legally proposed psychiatric indications for late-term abortion after psychiatric evaluation. For the assessment of sociodemographic and psychological parameters sociodemographic questionnaire and symptom checklist - 90 revised (SCL-90?) scale were used, respectively. The outcome of unwanted pregnancy was followed 6 months after the initial assessment. Results. The obtained results showed a statistically significant difference between the groups in educational level, satisfaction with financial situation, elevated anxiety and distress reactions. Unfavorable social circumstances were the main reason for an abortion in both groups and were predictive for an abortion. A 6-month follow-up showed that women had abortion despite legal restrictions. Conclusion. Pregnant women with psychiatric indication for late-term abortion belong to lower socioeconomic and educational level group compared to women without this indication who have more frequently elevated anxiety and distress reactions to unwanted pregnancy. It is necessary to have more accurate guidelines for mental health indications for legally approved late-term abortion, respecting social circumstances. Preventive measures are of great importance in order to lower the risk of illegally performed late-term abortions.

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