The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression and stress levels in pregnant women: a national survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

Medina-Jimenez, Virginia; Bermudez-Rojas, Maria de la Luz; Murillo-Bargas, Hector; Rivera-Camarillo, Ana Claudia; Muñoz-Acosta, Jairo; Ramirez-Abarca, Tania Gabriela; Esparza-Valencia, Diana Magdalena; Angeles-Torres, Alejandra Cristina; Lara-Avila, Leticia; Hernandez-Muñoz, Veronica Aide; Madrigal-Tejeda, Fernando Javier; Estudillo-Jimenez, Gaston Eduardo; Jacobo-Enciso, Luis Mauricio; Torres-Torres, Johnatan; Espino-Y-Sosa, Salvador; Baltazar-Martinez, Mariana; Villanueva-Calleja, Job; Nava-Sanchez, Aaron Ezequiel; Mendoza-Carrera, Claudia Elvira; Aguilar-Torres, César; Celis-Gonzalez, Cuauhtemoc; Martinez-Portilla, Raigam Jafet

BACKGROUND COVID-19 outbreak has been associated with a wide variety of psychiatric manifestations such as panic, anxiety, and depression. We aim to assess the impact of the COVID - 19 pandemic on the levels of stress and depression of pregnant women in Mexico. METHODS A cross-sectional web survey was carried out in pregnant women in 10 states of the Mexican Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic among public and private hospitals. The perception of stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, while depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS A total of 549 surveys were applied, of which 96.1% (n = 503) were included in the data analysis. The mean participant's age was 28.1 years old. The mean perceived stress scale score was 24. 33.2% (n = 167) of participants had a score equal to 27 points or more and were considered highly stressed. The mean depression score was 9. A total of 17.5% (n = 88) participants had more than 14 points on the Edinburgh's depression scale, and were considered depressed. Stress levels were higher at later gestational ages (p = .008). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health issues in pregnant women reflected by high perceived stress levels and depression.