COVID-19: Pregnant Women’s Knowledge, Perceptions & Fears. First National Data from Lebanon

Background and objective: The world is facing the pandemic of COVID-19 declared on the 11th of March by the World Health Organization caused by the novel corona virus SARS-COV-2.With insufficient worldwide evidence on the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy, it is critically important to understand pregnant women’s knowledge, perceptions, and fears regarding COVID-19 and to provide them support as far as possible. The aim of the study was to explore pregnant women’s awareness level of COVID-19 risk and its implication during the outbreak. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and observational study conducted on pregnant women living in Lebanon, using an electronic survey (Google form). Questions about demographics, knowledge of the COVID-19, risk perception, precautionary measures, source of information and degree of trust, anxiety levels were asked. Scores were calculated. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 22. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were carried out and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: With 449 pregnant women enrolled, the mean knowledge score was 4.4 (± 1.17) over 5. The mean perception score was 30.2 (± 5.4) over 51, while the mean precaution score was 19.7(± 3.04) over 25. As for the anxiety, the mean score was 7.1(± 5.8) over 21. Significant correlation was found between knowledge score vs both perception and precaution score (R=-0.213, p<0.001/R=0.465, p<0.00, respectively) between perception score vs knowledge, precaution, and anxiety scores (R= -0.213, p<0.001/ R=0.107, p=0.023/R=0.248, p<0.001, respectively), between precaution score vs knowledge and perception scores (R=0.465, p<0.001/ R=0.107, p=0.023, respectively) and finally between GAD 7 anxiety score vs perception score (R=0.248, p<0.001). Using the Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney, the bivariate analysis showed that pregnant women had higher GAD7 score when they were multiparous (p=0.021) and when they had the Lebanese nationality (p=0.042). Accordingly, lower GAD7 score was noted with higher level of education (p=0.021). As for the two most trusted organizations as a source of information, they were the personal doctor (Mean trust = 4.4 ± 0.9 over 5) and MOPH (Mean trust = 4.2 ± 1.1 over 5). Conclusion: A high knowledge score among pregnant women across Lebanon suggested a strong commitment on the part of these women to gain a better understanding of their health, their responsibilities towards their foetuses, and to counter this pandemic. However, a better communication between pregnant women and their physicians with the help of midwives is encouraged towards better management of care and better support.