The risk of anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A cross-sectional online survey

Abstract

Studies on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can have negative effects on maternal and child health outcomes. I therefore aimed to determine the risk of anxiety and depression in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. The data were collected from pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic between May and July 2020. In total, 164 pregnant women were recruited via social media (Facebook and Instagram) to complete an online survey. A personal information form and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis H test. I determined that pregnant women were at risk of anxiety (36%) and depression (73.8%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of depression was higher among the pregnant women who had a postgraduate education, worked during pregnancy, and had migrated within the previous 10 years compared to the other groups, while the risk of anxiety was higher in the age group 26–35 years and among unemployed pregnant women compared to the other groups. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant risk of anxiety and depression among pregnant women. Reducing the dangerous effects of COVID-19 on mental health is a perinatal health priority.