TY  - JOUR
AU  - Shirabe, Ritsuko
AU  - Okuhara, Tsuyoshi
AU  - Yokota, Rie
AU  - Okada, Hiroko
AU  - Goto, Eiko
AU  - Kiuchi, Takahiro
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/7/15
TI  - Changes in Anxiety and Stress Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis of a Japanese Social Question-and-Answer Website
JO  - JMIR Pediatr Parent
SP  - e27733
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
KW  - anxiety
KW  - content analysis
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - health communication
KW  - health information
KW  - mental health
KW  - pregnancy
KW  - social question-and-answer website
KW  - social support
KW  - stress
AB  - Background: The changing pattern of anxiety and stress experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. Objective: We aimed to examine the sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We performed content analysis of 1000 questions posted on the largest social website in Japan (Yahoo! Chiebukuro) from January 1 to May 25, 2020 (end date of the national state of emergency). The Gwet AC1 coefficient was used to verify interrater reliability. Results: A total 12 categories were identified. Throughout the study period, anxiety related to going outdoors appeared most frequent, followed by anxiety regarding employment and infection among family and friends. Following the declaration of the state of national emergency at the peak of the infection, infection-related anxiety decreased, whereas anxiety about social support and mood disorders increased. Stress regarding relationships appeared frequent throughout the pandemic. Conclusions: The sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan changed during the pandemic. Our results suggest the need for rapid communications in the early phase of a pandemic as well as long-term psychosocial support to provide optimal support to pregnant women in Japan. Health care professionals should understand the changing pattern of requirements among pregnant women. 
SN  - 2561-6722
UR  - https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2021/3/e27733
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/27733
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34156962
DO  - 10.2196/27733
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/27733
ER  -