Prevalence and Associated Factors of Fear of Childbirth among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Selected Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa Ethiopia 2021
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Date
2021-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Fear of childbirth is defined as feelings of uncertainty and anxiety before, during, or after childbirth. It ranges from low to severe fears that women experience in relation with childbirth. It affects the wellbeing of mothers during perinatal life and her family.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in selected Public Hospitals Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2021.
Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 pregnant women attending antenatal care in four selected public Hospitals in Addis Ababa. Simple random sampling and systematic random sampling methods were used to select Hospitals and study participants respectively. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured pre-tested questioner. Wijma Delivery Expectation/Experience Questionnaire was
used to score fear of childbirth. Collected data were entered using Epi-data-4.6 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS-25 statistical packages. In bivariate analysis P-value, less than 0.25 was considered for multi variate analysis, in multivariate analysis of P-value less than 0.05 considered as significant.
Results: Out of the total, 400 respondents took part in the study with a response rate of 98.8%. This study showed that 111(27.7%) of study participants had low fear of childbirth,176(44.0%) moderate, 68(17.0%) high, 45(11.3%) severe fear of childbirth. Having no formal education
(AOR=5,95%CI:(1.37-18.15)(p=0.02), previous obstetrics complications
AOR=3,95%CI: (1.14-7.8)(p=0.03), mode of delivery preference AOR=3,95%CI:(1.02-9.03) (p=0.045). Having medical illness AOR=3.6,95% CI (1.02-9.03) (p=0.02) showed significant association with a fear of childbirth. Conclusion and recommendations: Fear of childbirth is prevalent in the study setting. Fear of childbirth was linked to educational attainment,
previous obstetric problems, medical illness, and mode of delivery preference. Based on a cut-off value of high and severe fear of childbirth, the women were classified as having fear of childbirth. This group included 28.2% of all women with FOC. Early identification of women at risk of childbirth anxiety is clinically significant in the study setting to improve women's health during perinatal periods.
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Pregnancy, fear of childbirth, Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire A, Addis Ababa.