David Onchonga1, Vahideh MoghaddamHosseini2, Margaret Keraka3, Ákos Várnagy4. 1. Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary. Electronic address: onchonga.david@etk.pte.hu. 2. Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Non-Communicable Diseases Research Centre, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 3. School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya. 4. Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth (FOC) using a sample of gravida women in Kenya, a developing country where it is not fully acknowledged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This were a cross-sectional study on gravida women visiting health facilities to receive routine antenatal care. The study applied multistage sampling to enrol eligible expectant women. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used alongside Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version A) to collect respondents' demographic characteristics and to measure their fear of childbirth levels, respectively. RESULTS: Approximately 29.5% had low, 40.4% moderate, 22.1% high, and 8% recorded severe FOC levels. Comparing by parity, the prevalence of severe FOC was higher on primigravida at 13.8% than multigravida, 8.0%. The results revealed a significant relationship between marital status (p = 0.045), parity (p = 0.000), literacy status (p = 0.000), regular check-up of pregnancy at health facilities (p = 0.003), having trust in healthcare providers (p = 0.000), and physical activity for gravida women with fear of childbirth (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: From the findings, special attention on the identified predictors of fear of childbirth during prenatal sessions would help in managing fear of childbirth before they give birth.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth (FOC) using a sample of gravida women in Kenya, a developing country where it is not fully acknowledged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This were a cross-sectional study on gravida women visiting health facilities to receive routine antenatal care. The study applied multistage sampling to enrol eligible expectant women. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used alongside Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version A) to collect respondents' demographic characteristics and to measure their fear of childbirth levels, respectively. RESULTS: Approximately 29.5% had low, 40.4% moderate, 22.1% high, and 8% recorded severe FOC levels. Comparing by parity, the prevalence of severe FOC was higher on primigravida at 13.8% than multigravida, 8.0%. The results revealed a significant relationship between marital status (p = 0.045), parity (p = 0.000), literacy status (p = 0.000), regular check-up of pregnancy at health facilities (p = 0.003), having trust in healthcare providers (p = 0.000), and physical activity for gravida women with fear of childbirth (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: From the findings, special attention on the identified predictors of fear of childbirth during prenatal sessions would help in managing fear of childbirth before they give birth.