DETERMINATION OF ANXIETY LEVELS AND KNOWLEDGE LEVELS ABOUT COVID-19 DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK OF PREGNANTS: SURVEY IN TURKEY

Purpose: To determine the anxiety and knowledge levels of pregnant women about outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive study with 276 pregnant women presenting to obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics of hospitals in eastern Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, a form for assessing the knowledge levels of the participants about COVID-19, and the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale. Results: It was found that 75.4% of the participants were worried that they would catch COVID-19 in the hospital during or after childbirth. The mean COVID-19 Anxiety Scale score of the participants was 6.7 & PLUSMN;2.4 (min: 5, max: 14). The anxiety levels of the participants who were in the last trimester of pregnancy, those who did not receive information about COVID-19, those who changed their mode of delivery due to the pandemic, those who received inadequate prenatal care, those whose social support decreased, and those who felt vulnerable were significantly higher. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that anxiety in pregnant women is affected by various factors. It is important to provide care and support for these groups.