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Prevalence and predictive factors for fear of childbirth in pregnant Portuguese women: A cross-sectional study
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objective: To measure the prevalence of the fear of childbirth (FOC) and determine which factors predict severe
FOC among pregnant Portuguese women.
Methods: An online cross-sectional study among pregnant Portuguese women aged ≥ 20 years who were recorded
using a convenience sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection: sociodemographic
and obstetric questionnaire and European Portuguese version of Wijma Delivery Expectancy
Questionnaire-version A (WDEQ-A). Data of 669 participants were collected successfully from June 9 to October
30, 2019. Predictive factors for severe FOC were investigated using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results: The prevalence of severe FOC (WDEQ-A ≥ 85) among pregnant Portuguese women was 10%. Severe FOC
was significantly associated with lower educational level, single/divorced marital status, and negative previous
childbirth experience. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that being single or divorced and having
a negative previous childbirth experience were predictive variables for severe FOC.
Conclusion: Pregnant Portuguese women have FOC, although with varying severity. The data suggest that marital
status and women’s perceptions of previous childbirth experience may be useful variables to predict severe FOC.
Further research for extending the predictive factors of FOC should be refined. The results are clinically relevant
for midwifery care, as they should be used in the sense of early identification of fearful pregnant women to
provide adequate support strategies to reduce FOC.
Description
Keywords
Fear of childbirth Pregnant women WDEQ-A Maternal health
Citation
Souto, S. P. A., Prata, A. P., de Albuquerque, R. S., & Almeida, S. (2022). Prevalence and predictive factors for fear of childbirth in pregnant portuguese women: A cross-sectional study. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 31
Publisher
Elsevier