ABSTRACT

Background: Female population can be affected by various psychological factors that can have adverse effects on the woman’s mental health. Pandemics are one such times which can have negative effect on the mental health. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the status of depression and anxiety and factors associated with it in the female population (pregnant and non-pregnant women) during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 345 women coming to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected using the socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire and the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Regression analysis was done to determine the association between various factors with depression and anxiety.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 27.9 years Depression and anxiety symptoms were observed in 32.7, 32.7, and 43.9% of the participants, respectively The mean score of depression was found to be 3.72 (3.80) whereas of anxiety was 3.5 (4.006).  The overall prevalence of depression was 30.5% and that of anxiety was 18.55%, with varying degrees from mild to severe.

Conclusions:  Females in general and pregnant women specifically need special attention of the health care policy makers and this group should be given importance especially in times of such pandemics and all necessary measures should be taken to provide mental and psychological support.