ArticlePloS one2022
Patterns and predictors of fear of childbirth and depressive symptoms over time in a cohort of women in the Pwani region, Tanzania.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Global prevalence and associated factors of severe fear of childbirth: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.Archives of women's mental health · 2026Pooled it
- 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
- Ethiopian women's tokophobia of childbirth and its predictors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in global women's health · 2024Pooled it
- Fear of childbirth, birth satisfaction, and postpartum depression in relation to mother-infant bonding in postpartum women.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Article
- Developmental trajectories of maternal fear of childbirth at different times: a prospective longitudinal study.BMC women's health · 2025Article
- Association of fear of childbirth and postpartum depression with perceived partner response during pregnancy.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- The relationship between fear of childbirth and prenatal depression in pregnant women during pregnancy: a cross-lagged analysis.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFear of childbirth (FoB) and depressive symptoms (DS) are experienced by many women and can negatively affect women during and after pregnancy. This study assessed patterns of FoB and DS over time and associations of postpartum FoB and DS with sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics.
methodsWe conducted a longitudinal study at six health facilities in Tanzania in 2018-2019. Pregnant women were consecutively assessed for FoB and DS before and after childbirth using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire versions A & B and the Edinburgh antenatal and postnatal depressive scale. This paper is based on 625 women who completed participation.
resultsThe prevalence rates of FoB and DS during pregnancy were 16% and 18.2%, respectively, and after childbirth, 13.9% and 8.5%. Some had FoB (6.4%) and DS (4.3%) at both timepoints. FoB was strongly associated with DS at both timepoints (p < 0.001). Both FoB (p = 0.246) and DS (p < 0.001) decreased after childbirth. Never having experienced obstetric complications decreased the odds of postpartum and persisting FoB (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.83). Giving birth by caesarean section (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.11-3.65) and having more than 12 hours pass between admission and childbirth increased the odds of postpartum FoB (aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.03-4.16). Postpartum DS was more common in women with an ill child/stillbirth/early neonatal death (aOR 4.78, 95% CI 2.29-9.95). Persisting DS was more common in single (aOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.02-6.59) and women without social support from parents (aOR 0.28, 95% 0.11-0.69).
conclusionsFoB and DS coexist and decrease over time. Identifying predictors of both conditions will aid in recognising women at risk and planning for prevention and treatment. Screening for FoB and DS before and after childbirth and offering psychological support should be considered part of routine antenatal and postnatal care. Furthermore, supporting women with previous obstetric complications is crucial. Using interviews instead of a self-administered approach might have contributed to social desirability. Also, excluding women with previous caesarean sections could underestimate FoB and DS prevalence rates.
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