Mental Health of Pregnant Women in Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Traditionally perceived as a joyful period, pregnancy brings forth a spectrum of emotions for women. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a myriad of sociodemographic and obstetric challenges for pregnant women in Bangladesh. These complexities had profound implications for both the mental well-being of expectant mothers and the health of their unborn children. This chapter aims to identify the risk factors contributing to antenatal depression, anxiety, and stress during a pandemic situation. A community-based cross-sectional study of 430 pregnant women was performed with the assistance of four recruited nurses. The structured questionnaire contained three sections: demographic and obstetric information; the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The chapter’s data analysis utilized SPSS-25 and MS Excel, employing Pearson’s chi-squared test, bivariate analysis, and multinomial logistic regression to examine correlations between the independent and outcome variables. Multinomial logistic regression analysis disclosed that pregnant women residing in urban areas, those expressing concern about family financial situations, and employed women anxious about caring for their unborn child during the pandemic exhibited higher levels of depression. Similarly, women affected by physical illness or COVID-19 infection during pregnancy were more prone to anxiety. Notably, well-educated women and those with planned pregnancies received greater social support. Additionally, financial stability within a woman’s family positively correlated with increased social support during pregnancy. This chapter underscores the negative impact of specific demographic and obstetric characteristics on the mental health of pregnant women in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. To mitigate prenatal and postpartum complexities, the implementation of mental health promotion programs, such as online campaigns and informative media broadcasts, is imperative. Furthermore, enhancing obstetric knowledge and awareness among pregnant women can contribute significantly to reducing psychological complexities during this challenging period.