English abstract
Background: Fear of childbirth (FOC) affects around 0.7 to 89.3% of all pregnant women
globally. Several researches approved the harmful impacts of FOC on women’s health. However,
few studies have been conducted in the Middle East to measure the level of FOC and identify its
associated factors. In Oman, no studies have been carried out to assess the level of FOC and
explore the factors associated with it.
Aim: This study was conducted to measure the level of FOC during pregnancy among pregnant
Arab women. It explored the factors (demographic characteristics, medical characteristics, social
support, and the level of education received during pregnancy) associated with FOC.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected using the Wijma
Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-version A), Multidimensional Scale of
Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Pregnancy and Childbirth Questionnaire (PCQ) to
measure and identify the factors associated with FOC. Data were collected from four health
centers, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al Seeb Polyclinic, and six private hospitals and
clinics, using a convenience sampling technique. Multiple Linear regression was used to identify
factors associated with FOC.
Results: A total of 583 pregnant women participated in the study. More than half of pregnant
Arab women reported high to severe FOC during pregnancy (62.2%) (M = 70.172, SD = 22.072),
high family supports 90% (M = 6.311, SD = 1.074), and low education level (PCQ mean score
was 20.92, SD = 8.318). Findings showed that antenatal education, quality of perceived antenatal
information during pregnancy, selecting SVD as a preferred mode of delivery, satisfaction with
husband support during pregnancy, having information about analgesia used in labor, and family
support significantly decreased FOC. In addition, being treated in private hospitals and living in
a society spreading FOC significantly increased the FOC.
Conclusion: The study emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to conduct early
assessments to identify those with FOC during pregnancy. It also emphasizes the role of family
support and antenatal education in reducing the FOC, thus indicating the need for more strategies from healthcare professionals, administrative people, and policymakers to help pregnant women alleviate the level of FOC during pregnancy.
