Effect of Covid19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women Utilization of Antenatal Care Services

Hussein Sayed Abdel Gaowad, Amany; Hamdio, Shadia; Fathi Nabaweya Saleh, Amal

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.265053

Effect of Covid19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women Utilization of Antenatal Care Services

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Clinical instructor in Maternity and Neonatal health Nursing

² Professor of Maternity and Neonatal health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain shams University.

³ Assist Prof in Maternity and Neonatal health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain shams University.

10.21608/ejhc.2022.265053

Abstract

Background: The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a disastrous
effect on the health-care delivery system, of mainly pregnancy-related healthcare. The Aim of
study: Was to assess the effect of Covid19 pandemic on pregnant women utilization of antenatal
care services. Setting: The study was conducted at outpatient clinical unit in Ain Shams university
maternity hospital. A descriptive study design was utilized. Sampling: A Purposive sample was
used in the current study included (355) Pregnant women at third trimester. Tool of data collection:
A Structured Interviewing Questionnaire was used divided into five parts. Results: 25.4% of
studied group were utilized all items of antennal care services, while 74.6% of studied group were
utilized about 3/4 of antenatal care services and considered not utilized. It also indicated that the
most common barriers regarding utilization of antenatal care services among pregnant women
during covid19 pandemic were fear of exposure to COVID-19 infection during pregnancy,
unavailability of antenatal care services as a result of isolation, the waiting list is long and
unavailability of nearby places to provide the service that represented (84.5%, 63.4%, 81.7%,
62.5%) respectively. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the utilization of antenatal
care services among pregnant women since educational status were the most common factors
regarding utilization of antenatal care services. Also, fear of exposure to COVID-19 infection were
the most common barriers regarding utilization of antenatal care services. Recommendations:
Conduct Telemedicine services to overcome lockdown problem during

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