AUTHOR=Avalos Lyndsay A. , Nance Nerissa , Badon Sylvia E. , Young-Wolff Kelly , Ames Jennifer , Zhu Yeyi , Hedderson Monique M. , Ferrara Assiamira , Zerbo Ousseny , Greenberg Mara , Croen Lisa A. 

TITLE=Associations of COVID-19-Related Health, Healthcare and Economic Factors With Prenatal Depression and Anxiety

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604433

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604433

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objective: This study evaluated whether COVID-19 pandemic-related health, healthcare changes and economic factors during pregnancy are associated with prenatal depression and anxiety. 

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 6,628 pregnant members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California who responded to a survey between June 22 and September 30, 2020. The survey included questions about depression (Patient Health Questionnaire) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) symptoms and COVID-19-related health and healthcare changes (e.g. had COVID-19) and economic factors (e.g. food insecurity).

Results: Over one third of individuals reported depression (25% mild, 8% moderate, 3% severe) or anxiety (22% mild, 8% moderate, 5% severe) symptoms. In multivariable analysis, COVID-19 during pregnancy, employment with greater risk of COVID-19, distress over changes in prenatal care, job loss, changes in childcare and food insecurity were associated with greater odds of prenatal depression or anxiety.

Conclusions: Findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic may have severe mental health repercussions for pregnant individuals. Support services for pregnant individuals experiencing these COVID-19-related factors and monitoring of those who had moderate/severe prenatal depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic is warranted.