Anxiety and depression in pregnancy: associated variables during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Objective

To assess the association between age, parity, nationality, educational level, employment and partner support with depression and anxiety during pregnancy. To determine the impact of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety and depression levels of the participants.

Method

Cross-sectional descriptive correlational study carried out in the Osakidetza/Basque Health Service, Primary Care, Bizkaia (Spain). A total of 295 pregnant women between 8 and 41 weeks participated. The association between age, parity, nationality, educational level, employment, partner support and COVID-19 incidence rates during the study period and depression (measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and anxiety (measured with the State-Anxiety Inventory/STAI-S subscale) scores during pregnancy was measured. A logistic regression model was constructed and odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results

The mean score was 18.75 points for anxiety (SD = 8.69) and 6.45 points for depression (SD = 4.32). Women expecting their second or later child had higher scores for depression (OR 2.51[95%IC: 1.26–5.01)) and anxiety (OR 1.98 [95%IC: 1.01–3.89]). Having completed university studies was associated with lower scores in depression (OR 0.28 [95%IC: 0.11−0.77]) and in anxiety (OR 0,2 [95%IC: 0.08−0.54]). A good relationship with the partner was associated with lower levels of anxiety (OR 0.45 [95%IC: 0.24−0.81]). The mean anxiety and depression scores are related to the incidence of COVID-19 cases; the anxiety score was significantly higher in periods of higher incidence.

Conclusions

Greater emotional care for pregnant women with low educational level, multiparous and with weak support from their partner, would reduce anxiety and depression in pregnancy. Health emergency situations affect mental health during gestation.