Ritsuko Shirabe 1 , Tsuyoshi Okuhara 2 , Rie Yokota 1 , Hiroko Okada 2 , Eiko Goto 2 , Takahiro Kiuchi 2 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The changing pattern of anxiety and stress experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed content analysis of 1000 questions posted on the largest social website in Japan (Yahoo! Chiebukuro) from January 1 to May 25, 2020 (end date of the national state of emergency). The Gwet AC1 coefficient was used to verify interrater reliability. RESULTS: A total 12 categories were identified. Throughout the study period, anxiety related to going outdoors appeared most frequent, followed by anxiety regarding employment and infection among family and friends. Following the declaration of the state of national emergency at the peak of the infection, infection-related anxiety decreased, whereas anxiety about social support and mood disorders increased. Stress regarding relationships appeared frequent throughout the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan changed during the pandemic. Our results suggest the need for rapid communications in the early phase of a pandemic as well as long-term psychosocial support to provide optimal support to pregnant women in Japan. Health care professionals should understand the changing pattern of requirements among pregnant women. ©Ritsuko Shirabe, Tsuyoshi Okuhara, Rie Yokota, Hiroko Okada, Eiko Goto, Takahiro Kiuchi. Originally published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (https://pediatrics.jmir.org), 15.07.2021.
BACKGROUND: The changing pattern of anxiety and stress experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed content analysis of 1000 questions posted on the largest social website in Japan (Yahoo! Chiebukuro) from January 1 to May 25, 2020 (end date of the national state of emergency). The Gwet AC1 coefficient was used to verify interrater reliability. RESULTS: A total 12 categories were identified. Throughout the study period, anxiety related to going outdoors appeared most frequent, followed by anxiety regarding employment and infection among family and friends. Following the declaration of the state of national emergency at the peak of the infection , infection -related anxiety decreased, whereas anxiety about social support and mood disorders increased. Stress regarding relationships appeared frequent throughout the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan changed during the pandemic. Our results suggest the need for rapid communications in the early phase of a pandemic as well as long-term psychosocial support to provide optimal support to pregnant women in Japan. Health care professionals should understand the changing pattern of requirements among pregnant women . ©Ritsuko Shirabe, Tsuyoshi Okuhara, Rie Yokota, Hiroko Okada, Eiko Goto, Takahiro Kiuchi. Originally published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (https://pediatrics.jmir.org), 15.07.2021.
Entities: Chemical
Disease
Gene
Species
Keywords:
COVID-19; anxiety; content analysis; health communication; health information; mental health; pregnancy; social question-and-answer website; social support; stress
Year: 2021
PMID： 34156962 DOI： 10.2196/27733
Source DB: PubMed Journal: JMIR Pediatr Parent ISSN： 2561-6722