Assessment of depression and anxiety in pregnant women with COVID-19

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Created On: 09/05/2022

This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to investigate and compare the frequency of depression and anxiety in pregnant females with and without coronavirus disease.

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Key take away

SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were high in pregnant females and were linked with higher rates of anxiety.

Background

This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to investigate and compare the frequency of depression and anxiety in pregnant females with and without coronavirus disease.

Method

Overall, 60 pregnant females were recruited and underwent nasopharyngeal swabs for polymerase chain reaction and high-resolution computed tomography for assessment of SARS-CoV-2 status. For investigating anxiety and depression, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used. The findings were subjected to statistical assessment.

Result

The gestational age, mean age, depression scores, and anxiety scores were 31.1±6.28, 29.93±4.15, 10.02±2.72, and 10.56±3.29 respectively. About 60% of pregnant women suffered from coronavirus disease. Anxiety was reported in 65% of women while depression was reported in 31.7% of women.

A comparison of pregnant women with or without SARS-CoV-2 infection in terms of anxiety and depression utilizing an independent T-test depicted that anxiety was substantially linked with COVID positive status. But, no profound link was noted between SARS-CoV-2 status and depression. Age, socioeconomic status, and gestational age/pregnancy trimester were not related to the presence of anxiety and depression in coronavirus-positive women.

Conclusion

In pregnant females, SARS-CoV-2 infection was frequently noted and was substantially linked with a high frequency of anxiety. Depression was less commonly noted and was not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.