The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on abortion access and pre-abortion mental health in Shanghai.

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  • Author(s): Zhang Z;Zhang Z; Wang X; Wang X; Wang W; Wang W; Zhang J; Zhang J; Shan L; Shan L; Li Y; Li Y
  • Source:
    International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics [Int J Gynaecol Obstet] 2023 Mar; Vol. 160 (3), pp. 1035-1041. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Nov 14.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0210174 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-3479 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00207292 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: 2017- : Malden, MA : Wiley
      Original Publication: [New York, NY] Hoeber Medical Division, Harper & Row, [c1969-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/epidemiology ; Abortion, Induced* ; Abortion, Spontaneous*; Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Mental Health ; Pandemics ; Case-Control Studies ; Depression/diagnosis ; China/epidemiology ; Anxiety/diagnosis
    • Abstract:
      Objective: To understand the barriers to abortion in Shanghai during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare pre-abortion mental health status before and during the crisis.
      Methods: In this case-control study, two groups of women seeking abortion (age ≥18 years, pregnancy duration <98 days) were recruited from March to September, 2021 (n = 1070) and from February to April 2022 (n = 625). The evaluation included COVID-19-related abortion stress questions, the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Family Environment Scale Chinese version. The researchers conducted interviews and collected questionnaires.
      Results: The median pregnancy duration at abortion among women during the pandemic was 65 days, compared with 51 days in the pre-pandemic group (P < 0.001). Anxiety and depression symptoms increased during the crisis (P < 0.001). Sleep disturbances were more common. Higher PSQI scores were related to increased anxiety and depression symptoms. A more negative family climate was described during the pandemic.
      Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, abortion access was delayed and pre-abortion mental disorders increased. More attention should be paid to the mental health of women seeking abortions, and innovations should be promoted to ensure abortion services without delay.
      (© 2022 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)
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    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: abortion; coronavirus disease 2019; family environment; mental health; sleep disorder
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20221024 Date Completed: 20230214 Latest Revision: 20230214
    • Publication Date:
      20230214
    • Accession Number:
      PMC9874749
    • Accession Number:
      10.1002/ijgo.14516
    • Accession Number:
      36278866