Tsui Michelle H, Pang Man W, Melender Hanna-Leena, Xu L, Lau Tze K, Leung Tse N
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
Women Health. 2006;44(4):79-92. doi: 10.1300/j013v44n04_05.
Women's fear toward pregnancy and childbirth is a common and important health concern. This study examined the objects, causes, and manifestations of maternal fears and their associated demographic factors in a sample of Hong Kong Chinese pregnant women.
Three hundred Chinese pregnant women were recruited in an obstetric unit in Hong Kong in 2003. Data were collected using a 73-item questionnaire. Principal components factor analysis was applied to identify the objects, causes, and manifestations of fear toward pregnancy and childbirth.
The mean maternal age was 30 (SD 5.6) years. All participants reported some degree of fear. The main objects of fear were "fear of childbirth" and "child's and mother's wellbeing." The first factor identified for causes of fear was "negative stories," followed by "negative attitude or mood." Regarding the various manifestations of fear, "stress symptoms" and "wish to avoid pregnancy and childbirth" ranked highest. Twenty-two percent of participants had considered requesting an elective cesarean section due to fear of childbirth.
Even in a group of low-risk pregnant women, fear toward pregnancy and childbirth was frequently experienced. Better strategies to address women's psychological needs during pregnancy are warranted.
女性对怀孕和分娩的恐惧是一个常见且重要的健康问题。本研究调查了香港华裔孕妇样本中产妇恐惧的对象、原因、表现及其相关人口统计学因素。
2003年在香港的一个产科病房招募了300名华裔孕妇。使用一份包含73个条目的问卷收集数据。应用主成分因子分析来确定对怀孕和分娩恐惧的对象、原因及表现。
产妇的平均年龄为30（标准差5.6）岁。所有参与者均报告有一定程度的恐惧。恐惧的主要对象是“害怕分娩”和“孩子及母亲的健康”。确定的恐惧原因的第一个因素是“负面故事”，其次是“消极态度或情绪”。关于恐惧的各种表现，“压力症状”和“希望避免怀孕和分娩”排名最高。22%的参与者因害怕分娩而考虑要求进行选择性剖宫产。
即使在一组低风险孕妇中，对怀孕和分娩的恐惧也很常见。有必要制定更好的策略来满足孕期女性的心理需求。
