PREDICTORS OF FEAR OF CHILDBIRTH AMONG HIGH-RISK PREGNANT MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT BWAILA HOSPITAL, LILONGWE, MALAWI

Abstract

Fear of Childbirth (FoC) a psychological health condition that affects pregnant women is characterized by worrisome feelings and thoughts about labor and birth.This cross-sectional study aimed at describing the level FoC and investigate whether knowledge of childbirth preparedness, pregnancy-related pain, pregnancy-related complications, antenatal depression, partner support, and maternal trust in midwife could predict FoC among high-risk pregnant mothers. 123 high-risk pregnant mothers aged between 15 and 40 antenatal clinic of Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi were included. Seven instruments were used for data collection, including, a demographic and obstetrical questionnaire, fear of childbirth questionnaire, knowledge of birth preparedness questionnaire, paper-based visual analog pain scale, Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, social support effectiveness questionnaire, and health care relationship trust scale - revised.

The results of the study showed that the participant's mean score of FoC was 20.43 (SD=10.49) indicating a low level of fear. Knowledge of childbirth preparedness, pregnancy-related pain, pregnancy complications, antenatal depression, partner support, and maternal trust in the midwife predicted FoC, explaining 19.0% variance of FoC among high-risk pregnant mothers (R2=.190, F(6,116) = 4.53, p

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