Prevalence of Fear of Childbirth in a Sample of Gravida Women in Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Onchonga, David
MoghaddamHosseinib, Vahideh
Kerakad, Margaret
Várnagy, Ákos
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of fear of childbirth (FOC) using a sample of
gravida women in Kenya, a developing country where it is not fully acknowledged.
Materials and methods: This were a cross-sectional study on gravida women visiting health facilities to receive
routine antenatal care. The study applied multistage sampling to enrol eligible expectant women. A researcherdeveloped
questionnaire was used alongside Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version A)
to collect respondents’ demographic characteristics and to measure their fear of childbirth levels, respectively.
Results: Approximately 29.5% had low, 40.4% moderate, 22.1% high, and 8% recorded severe FOC levels.
Comparing by parity, the prevalence of severe FOC was higher on primigravida at 13.8% than multigravida,
8.0%. The results revealed a significant relationship between marital status (p = 0.045), parity (p = 0.000),
literacy status (p = 0.000), regular check-up of pregnancy at health facilities (p = 0.003), having trust in
healthcare providers (p = 0.000), and physical activity for gravida women with fear of childbirth (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: From the findings, special attention on the identified predictors of fear of childbirth during prenatal
sessions would help in managing fear of childbirth before they give birth.
Description
research article
Keywords
Fear of childbirth, Prenatal check- up, Physical activity, WDEQ-A, Kenya
Citation
Onchonga, D., MoghaddamHosseini, V., Keraka, M., & Várnagy, Á. (2020). Prevalence of fear of childbirth in a sample of gravida women in Kenya. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2020; 24: 100510.