COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health in Antenatal Women

The present study examined the psychological effects of quarantine on expectant mothers admitted with COVID-19 disease in the isolation ward at Medical college Kozhikode, India. A rapid spreading of the COVID-19 virus in recent years had a great impact on every single aspect of live and the world faced with unexpected and unpredictable crisis in both physical and mental condition.

A cross-sectional study carried out from November 1 through January 31, 2020, at the Government Medical College in Kozhikode, India. A random sample of 100 pregnant women with COVID-19 disease admitted to an isolation ward for quarantine was taken. At the time of admission, clinical and demographic data were collected.

Out of the 100 women selectd, 74 responded with the questionnaires set for mental health. All of them were educated, 62% studied up to 12th standard and rest of them above that level. Majority from joint family contributed 68.9% and 85.1% were home makers. Mean age was 26 years and range between 19 and 41 years. Regarding the order of pregnancy, 48.6% primigravidae. Mental health assessment done using 3 sets of questionnaires, PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PASS showed that women in our study didnot have any increased risk of depression, general anxiety or perinatal anxiety.

The current study found no evidence of an increased risk of general anxiety, depression, or perinatal anxiety in antenatal women with COVID-19 disease who were admitted to a hospital.