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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Anxiety | Research

The prevalence and predictors of fear of childbirth among pregnant Chinese women: a hierarchical regression analysis

Authors: Jingui Huang, Jing Huang, Yan Li, Bizhen Liao

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Fear of childbirth (FOC) occurs before, during and after pregnancy and is harmful to both the pregnant woman and the fetus. Identifying the prevalence and predictors of FOC can help us generate strategies for alleviating women’s FOC.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 646 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at a subordinate hospital of a university in China. Data were collected using a basic information form, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The minimum and maximum total scores of the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire are 16 and 64, respectively, with higher scores reflecting a greater degree of FOC. We conducted hierarchical regression analysis to explore the predictors of FOC and used a structural equation model to further examine the direct and indirect associations between FOC, resilience and childbirth self-efficacy.

Results

The total prevalence of FOC was 67.1%. The percentages of women with mild (score of 28–39), moderate (40–51), and severe FOC (52–64) were 45.4, 19.5, and 2.2%, respectively. The average score on the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire was 32.49, indicating mild FOC. The final regression analysis revealed six variables predicting FOC that explained 64.5% of the variance in FOC: age, gestational age, parity, spousal support, resilience, and childbirth self-efficacy. Furthermore, childbirth self-efficacy mediated the relationship between resilience and FOC, and the mediation effect rate was 53.5%.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of FOC among pregnant Chinese women was found in this study. Age, gestational age, parity, spousal support, resilience, and childbirth self-efficacy were predictors of FOC. It is suggested that healthcare professionals should pay close attention to FOC and implement targeted interventions in accordance with these predictors, especially resilience and childbirth self-efficacy.

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Title: The prevalence and predictors of fear of childbirth among pregnant Chinese women: a hierarchical regression analysis
Authors: Jingui Huang
Jing Huang
Yan Li
Bizhen Liao
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Anxiety
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04123-7

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Springer Medicine

The prevalence and predictors of fear of childbirth among pregnant Chinese women: a hierarchical regression analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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