Pregnancy and Covid-19 Pandemic Perception in Malaysia

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15475587
AuthorsSharifah Aminah Syed Anwar Aly (National University of Malaysia), Rahana Abd Rahman (0000-0003-4161-6461, National University of Malaysia), Shalisah Sharip (0000-0002-2130-739X, National University of Malaysia), Shamsul Azhar Shah (0000-0003-0635-1816, National University of Malaysia), Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy (0000-0003-0856-0697, National University of Malaysia), Aida Kalok (0000-0001-5475-093X, National University of Malaysia, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue11
Pages5762-5762
Publication date2021-05-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18115762
PMID34072017
OpenAlexW3164452384
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited33

Pregnant women are susceptible to COVID-19 complications due to gestation-related physiological changes. We aimed to evaluate the level of maternal knowledge, perception, and practice during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO) between April and June 2020. A self-administered electronic questionnaire that included the knowledge and practice domains was distributed. A newly designed set of questions was used to evaluate (1) women's perception of MCO and (2) maternal experience, which was subdivided into clinical care provision and maternal anxiety. The survey response rate was 93% with the final number for analysis of 415. The majority of women (95%) demonstrated an adequate level of knowledge on COVID-19, whilst 99% had a good practice. We found that tertiary education ( p p = 0.03), higher household income ( p p p p = 0.037), as did those of Malay ethnicity. Younger ( p p = 0.01) women demonstrated greater anxiety levels. The majority of our women reported good practice and adequate knowledge, which contributed to a positive perception of MCO and better maternal obstetric experience. First-time mothers may benefit from extra support and reassurance during the pandemic to alleviate maternal anxiety

Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Cross-sectional study · Disease · Ethnic group · Family medicine · Malay · Pandemic · Perception · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Demography · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Internal Medicine

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