Determination of COVID-19 anxiety and prenatal attachment levels is important in terms of education programs
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During the COVID-19, helping pregnant’s cope with anxiety is part of a nurse's preventive, counseling, and educative role.
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Anxiety and stress management should be provided to pregnant’s through online/distance education programs during the pandemic
Abstract
Aim
This study aimed to determine the relationship between pregnant women's anxiety levels related to concerns about the effect of coronavirus on prenatal attachment.
Design and method
This a descriptive and correlational design study was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021; it included 101 pregnant women who were more than 20 weeks pregnant. Introductory questionnaire, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory were used as data collection tools.
Results
Of the participants, 80.2% were 35 years old or younger. The participants' mean Coronavirus Anxiety Scale score was 8.85 ± 5.02 (min: 0, max: 17), which was close to the scale's cut-off value. Of the participants, 68.3% had high levels of perceived anxiety about coronavirus. The participants' mean Prenatal Attachment Inventory score was 60.08 ± 21.26 (min: 21, max: 84). Of the participants, 54.3% had high levels of Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Correlation analysis found a negative, but significant relationship between the participants' scores on the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (r = −244, p = 0.014).
Conclusion
The participants' prenatal attachment levels increased as their perceived anxiety scores about coronavirus decreased.