AUTHOR=Bishaw Keralem Anteneh , Andalem Addisu , Amha Haile , wondie Tirusew 

TITLE=Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Its Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women During COVID-19 at Public Health Facilities of East Gojjam Zone, 2020: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Global Women's Health

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womens-health/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.918332

DOI=10.3389/fgwh.2022.918332

ISSN=2673-5059

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Pregnant women suffer from varying levels of generalized anxiety disorder that result in poor obstetrical outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder among pregnant women attending antenatal care during COVID-19 at public health facilities in the east Gojjam zone.
Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted, from December 1-30, 2020. A total of 847 pregnant women were included in the study using a simple random sampling technique. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect the data. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder. A p-value of <0.05 with a 95% confidence level was used to declare statistical significance.
Results: The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder was 43.7%, with a 95% CI (40.28-47.12). Having <3 the number of children (AOR: 1.53; 95% CI: (1.11 - 2.13), having a negative attitude about COVID (AOR: 1.47; 95% CI: (1.07 - 2.02) and having a high-risk perception about COVID (AOR: 1.86; 95% CI: (1.34 - 2.57) were factors significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder.  
Conclusions: The study found that the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder was high. Having less than 3 three children, having a negative attitude, and having a high-risk perception of COVID were independent risk factors of generalized anxiety disorder. Appropriate interventions should be considered to address generalized anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic