Prevalence of Fear of Childbirth and Its Associated Factors in Primigravid Women: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Fear of childbirth is a common concern among pregnant women, which is why many women request Cesarean section. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of fear of childbirth and its associated factors in primigravid women in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 primigravid women (gestational age: 18 - 32 weeks), who referred to the health centers and stations of Khorramabad in 2014 for routine prenatal care. The participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling method. Childbirth attitude questionnaire (CAQ), demographic characteristics and pregnancy characteristics questionnaires, and Northouse social support questionnaire were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, t test, Mann-Whitney test, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The mean score for the fear of childbirth was 37.86 (± 9.44), and the prevalence of fear of childbirth was 80.8% (CAQ ≥ 28). According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, lack of sufficient income for living expenses (P = 0.020), not participating in childbirth preparation classes (P = 0.040), and preference for mode of delivery (vaginal delivery) (P < 0.001) were predictive factors for the fear of childbirth. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, most primigravid women had experienced the fear of childbirth. Therefore, it is required the health care providers pay special attention to the fear of childbirth during pregnancy and the factors associated with it.