Last modified: 2021-03-01
Abstract
Eskeziaw Abebe Kassahun1, Asmamaw Demis 1, Sewbesew Yitayih2, Belayneh Ayanaw Kassie3*
1 Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
2 Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar
3 Department of Women’s and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar
Presenting Author
Belayneh Ayanaw Kassie
Email: belyuayanaw@gmail.com
Mob: .+251918730741
Abstract
Background: The life-saving support midwives provide during pregnancy, Labor, delivery and postpartum presents unique challenge and require close and prolonged contact with women and their newborns so as to maintain the continuity of care and building of a life course approach to health which is crucial for better maternal and neonatal outcomes and satisfaction which pose midwives at higher risk of being exposed to acquire and transmit COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to assess mental health effects of COVID-19 among Midwives in Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June 20 to August 20, 2020 among 1,691 practicing Midwives in Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from the national database. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data through telephone interview. Data was entered using the Google forms platform and analyzed with SPSS version 21. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to determine independent predictors of Depression, Anxiety and Stress. The odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval was computed to determine the strength and level of significance.
Result: In Ethiopia, the overall prevalence of depression was 41.1% [95% CI: 38.6, 43.7], anxiety 29.6% [95%CI: 27.3, 31.8] and stress 19.0% [95% CI: 17.0, 20.8] among Midwives. The sex of midwives (AOR=1.35;95% CI:1.08,1.69), working in rural area (AOR=1.39;95% CI:1.06,1.82), poor knowledge towards COVID-19 (AOR=1.40;95%CI:1.12,1.75), poor preventive practice (AOR=1.83;95%CI: 1.47,2.28) and substance use (AOR=0.31;95%CI:0.17,0.56) were significantly associated with depression. Moreover, working in governmental health facility (AOR=2.44; 95%CI: 1.24, 4.78), poor COVID-19 preventive practice (AOR=1, 47; 95%CI: 1.16, 1.85) and poor attitude towards COVID-19 (AOR=2.22; 95%CI: 1.04, 1.66) were significantly associated with anxiety. Stress were affected by working in rural area (AOR=0.57; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.83), substance use (AOR=2.06; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.81), poor knowledge towards COVID-19 (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.90) and poor preventive practice towards COVID-19 (AOR=1.60;95% CI :1.23, 2.10).
Conclusion and recommendation: The findings of this study have paramount importance to the public and clinical setup. Findings of this study show high rates of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among midwives in Ethiopia. Addressing knowledge and preventive practice gaps through information, training and safety protocols on COVID-19 modes of transmission, and prevention related precautions as well as efforts to improve psychosocial wellbeing of Midwifery professions recommended so as to contribute the maternal, neonatal, child an adolescent health care service being provided by Midwives.
Key words: Mental Health, COVID-19, Midwives, Ethiopia