Prevalence and Predictors of Fear of Childbirth Among the Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Imphal-East District Manipur, North-East India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Bishwalata Rajkumari Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
  • Dayananda Ingudam Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
  • Chitra Yengkokpam Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
  • Binita Devi Senjam Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
  • Laishram Robina Chanu Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
  • Ranalcis Rajkumar Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151020244546

Keywords:

Fear of childbirth, Predictors, Pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiousness before, during or after delivery which may increase the risk of various physical problems and mental disorders thereby affecting maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of fear of childbirth and to determine its associated factors among pregnant women.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in Imphal-East District of Manipur. A 30-item questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to test for association taking all variables with p < 0.2 for model building for the adjusted analysis. A p value <0.05 was taken as level of significance. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee.

Results: Out of 431 participants, fear of childbirth was seen in 36%. Increasing age of the respondent (AOR: 0.877) and residing in urban area (AOR: 0.548) showed a protective effect but respondents having past history of abortion (AOR: 2.054) and being in the third trimester of pregnancy (AOR: 1.964) were found to have an increased risk of having ‘Fear of childbirth’ (p<0.005).

Conclusions: Overall, 155 (36%) of women had fear of childbirth. It is important that healthcare professionals to be aware of fear of childbirth and ensure that pregnant women receive adequate health education, counselling during regular ANC checkups.

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Published

2024-10-01

How to Cite

1.
Rajkumari B, Ingudam D, Yengkokpam C, Senjam BD, Robina Chanu L, Rajkumar R. Prevalence and Predictors of Fear of Childbirth Among the Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Imphal-East District Manipur, North-East India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2024 Oct. 1 [cited 2024 Oct. 6];15(10):850-6. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4546

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Original Research Articles