Prevalence and determinants of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

Problem: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant public health concern, and understanding its determinants is
crucial for developing effective interventions to support women during pregnancy and childbirth.
Background: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern
among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants
of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics
in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured
questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth
Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
Results: The prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear
and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity,
unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse
relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy.
Conclusions: This study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need
for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups
like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can
inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.