ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2021
Predictors of fear of childbirth and depressive symptoms among pregnant women: a cross-sectional survey in Pwani region, Tanzania.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Structural and health system determinants of mental health in Tanzania: mapping policy recommendations to the WHO comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2030.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
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- Network analysis of spousal support and fear of childbirth in pregnant women of advanced maternal age.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Fear of child birth and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis.Maternal health, neonatology and perinatology · 2025Review
- Developmental trajectories of maternal fear of childbirth at different times: a prospective longitudinal study.BMC women's health · 2025Article
- The relationship between fear of childbirth and prenatal depression in pregnant women during pregnancy: a cross-lagged analysis.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- Spiritual Health, Anxiety and Fear of Childbirth in Iran: Is there Any Relationship?Journal of religion and health · 2025Article
- The lived experiences of postnatal mothers receiving birth companionship care in Katavi region, Tanzania: A phenomenological study.SAGE open medicine · 2025Article
- Does mistreatment during institutional childbirth increase the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms? A prospective cohort study in Nepal.Global health action · 2024Article
- Psychometric properties of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A among Chinese expectant fathers.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Tocophobia: Risk Factors, Consequences and Management - A Systematic Review of the Literature.Maedica · 2024Review
- A comparison of childbirth self-efficacy, fear of childbirth, and labor pain intensity between primiparas and multiparas during the latent phase of labor: a cross-sectional study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2024Article
- Pre- and postpartum fear of childbirth and its predictors among rural women in China.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2024Article
- Patterns and predictors of fear of childbirth and depressive symptoms over time in a cohort of women in the Pwani region, Tanzania.PloS one · 2022Article
- Relationship among Maternal Perception of Childbirth Experience, Spiritual Health and Maternal-Infant Relationship in the Postpartum Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery researchArticle
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6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMany women experience fear of childbirth (FoB) and depressive symptoms (DS) during pregnancy, but little is known about FoB among Tanzanian women. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of FoB and DS among pregnant women and determine predictors of each and both, focusing on sociodemographic and obstetric predictors.
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at six health facilities in two districts in Tanzania between 2018 and 2019. In total, 694 pregnant women with gestational age between 32 and 40 weeks and expecting vaginal delivery were consecutively recruited and assessed for FoB and DS. We collected data through interviews using 6 and 4-points Likert Scale of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire Version A and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, respectively. Women who scored ≥66 and ≥ 10 were categorised as having FoB and DS, respectively. We performed multivariable logistic regression to investigate the predictors of FoB and DS.
resultsThe prevalence rates of FoB and DS among pregnant women were 15.1 and 17.7%, respectively. FoB and DS were more likely in women aged above 30 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 6.29, 95%CI 1.43-27.84] and in single mothers (AOR 2.57, 95%CI 1.14-5.78). Women with secondary education and above (AOR 0.22, 95%CI 0.05-0.99) and those who had given birth previously (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.87) were less likely to have FoB in combination with DS Women who had previous obstetric complications, and those who did not receive any social support from male partners in previous childbirth were more likely to have FoB and DS. FoB was strongly associated with DS (AOR 3.42, 95%CI 2.12-5.53). DS only was more common in women who had inadequate income (AOR 2.35, 95%CI 1.38-3.99) or had previously experienced a perineal tear (AOR 2.32, 95%CI 1.31-4.08).
conclusionsNot having a formal education, having only primary education, being aged above 30 years, being single, being nulliparous, having experienced obstetric complications, and having a lack of social support from a male partner during previous pregnancy and childbirth were predictors of FoB and DS during pregnancy. FoB and DS were strongly associated with each other. It is vital to identify at-risk women early, to offer support during pregnancy and childbirth.
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