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Impact of coronavirus 2019 on mental health and lifestyle adaptations of pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

Hashim M 1 , Coussa A 2 , Al Dhaheri AS 3 , Al Marzouqi A 4 , Cheaib S 5 , Salame A 6 Show all authors , Abu Jamous DO 7 , Naja F 1 , Hasan H 1 , Stojanovska L 3 , Mohamad MN 3 , Bataineh MF 8 , Faris ME 1 , Al Daour R 1 , Obaid RS 1 , Saleh ST 1 , Osaili TM 1 , Cheikh Ismail L 9

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
  • 2 Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
  • 3 Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
  • 4 Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
  • 5 Fakih IVF Clinics, Fetal Medicine Department, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, 72960, United Arab Emirates
  • 6 Fakih IVF Clinics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ashraj 13, Al Ain, 31453, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • 7 Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
  • 8 Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
  • 9 Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates. lcheikhismail@sharjah.ac.ae
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2021 Jul 19;21(1):515.
PMID: 34281501 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03941-z

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In light of the pandemic, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to increased psychological distress and in need of imperative preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on mental health, lifestyle adaptations, and their determinants among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates.

METHODS: A survey was conducted electronically between June and August 2020. Pregnant women were recruited from prenatal clinics in the UAE and invited to participate in an online survey developed on Google Forms. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, the Impact of Event Scale- Revised, the Perceived Support Scale and lifestyle-related factors.

RESULTS: A total of 384 pregnant women completed the questionnaire of whom 20.6% were in their 1st trimester, 46.1% in their 2nd and 33.3% in their 3rd trimester. The mean IES-R score for the respondents was 26.15 ± 13.55, corresponding to a mild stressful impact, which did not differ significantly among trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant women expressed increased stress from staying home (64%), work (40%), feeling frightened (66%) and apprehensive (59%). Women reported increased support and sharing their feelings with family members (59%), mainly in the 1st and 3rd trimester of pregnancy (P 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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