Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant public health concern, and understanding its determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions to support women during pregnancy and childbirth.
BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
RESULTS: The prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity, unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.
BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
RESULTS: The prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity, unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.
摘要：
目的：对分娩的恐惧（FOC）是一个重要的公共卫生问题，了解其决定因素对于制定有效的干预措施以支持怀孕和分娩期间的妇女至关重要。
背景：在全球范围内，对分娩的恐惧（FOC）越来越被认为是孕妇的基本心理健康问题。然而,在埃及背景下，阐明FOC的患病率和多方面决定因素的研究仍然很少。这些知识对于告知孕产妇保健实践至关重要。
目的：本研究旨在调查埃及孕妇的FOC患病率及其影响因素。
方法：在El-Beheira省的460名低风险孕妇中进行了一项横断面研究，埃及,从2023年2月到2023年7月。使用关于社会人口统计学和产科概况的结构化问卷收集数据，分娩态度问卷，分娩自我效能感量表，以及感知社会支持的多维量表。
结果：FOC的患病率从轻度到重度不等，70.4%的女性表现出一定程度的恐惧，11.3%的女性表现出严重的FOC。与较大FOC相关的关键决定因素是年龄较小，无效,意外怀孕,以前的负面出生经历，以及对剖宫产的偏好。FOC与分娩自我效能感之间呈负相关。
结论：这项研究显示，埃及孕妇的FOC患病率很高，有必要进行系统的筛查和量身定制的干预措施，以减轻这种担忧，尤其是像年轻人这样的高危人群，未生育的母亲。培养分娩自我效能感可能有助于减少FOC。这些发现可以为埃及加强全面的孕产妇保健做法提供信息。
背景：在全球范围内，对分娩的恐惧（FOC）越来越被认为是孕妇的基本心理健康问题。然而,在埃及背景下，阐明FOC的患病率和多方面决定因素的研究仍然很少。这些知识对于告知孕产妇保健实践至关重要。
目的：本研究旨在调查埃及孕妇的FOC患病率及其影响因素。
方法：在El-Beheira省的460名低风险孕妇中进行了一项横断面研究，埃及,从2023年2月到2023年7月。使用关于社会人口统计学和产科概况的结构化问卷收集数据，分娩态度问卷，分娩自我效能感量表，以及感知社会支持的多维量表。
结果：FOC的患病率从轻度到重度不等，70.4%的女性表现出一定程度的恐惧，11.3%的女性表现出严重的FOC。与较大FOC相关的关键决定因素是年龄较小，无效,意外怀孕,以前的负面出生经历，以及对剖宫产的偏好。FOC与分娩自我效能感之间呈负相关。
结论：这项研究显示，埃及孕妇的FOC患病率很高，有必要进行系统的筛查和量身定制的干预措施，以减轻这种担忧，尤其是像年轻人这样的高危人群，未生育的母亲。培养分娩自我效能感可能有助于减少FOC。这些发现可以为埃及加强全面的孕产妇保健做法提供信息。
