Mentality of pregnant women and obstetric healthcare workers about prenatal SARS‐CoV‐2 testing: A regional survey over the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan

Kawamura, Hiroshi; Orisaka, Makoto; Yoshida, Yoshio

AIM: To clarify the mentality of pregnant women and obstetric healthcare workers about prenatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) screening testing. METHODS: A multicenter questionnaire survey about prenatal SARS‐CoV‐2 screening testing was conducted among pregnant women, midwives and nurses (M&Ns), and obstetricians at all delivery facilities in Fukui Prefecture between June 30, 2020 and July 22, 2020. RESULTS: Of 297 pregnant women, 150 (50.5%) underwent prenatal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and 107 of them (71.3%) answered that because of prenatal PCR tests, they could give birth with relief. One hundred forty‐five (48.8%) were concerned about the disadvantages of receiving positive prenatal PCR results. Of 287 M&Ns, 151 (52.6%) answered that prenatal PCR screening testing could reduce anxiety about infection to themselves; this belief was more common among M&Ns working at the nonreception facility than among those at COVID‐19 reception facilities (60.7% vs. 47.1%, P = 0.02). Of 57 obstetricians, 31 (54.4%) agreed to prenatal SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR screening testing, the rate of which was significantly higher among obstetricians at nonreception facilities than those at reception facilities (70.3% vs. 25.0%, P < 0.01). Fourteen obstetricians (24.6%) were concerned about excessive medical treatment for asymptomatic pregnant women with false‐positive PCR results. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women experience anxieties during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and prenatal SARS‐CoV‐2 screening may reduce their anxiety to some extent. However, obstetrics staff at COVID‐19 reception facilities are aware of the limits of prenatal screening and are concerned about excessive medical intervention due to false‐positive results.