@article {Nwafor2020.08.30.20184697, author = {Nwafor, Johnbosco Ifunanya and Okedo-Alex, Ijeoma Nkem and Ikeotuonye, Arinze Chidiebere}, title = {Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among pregnant women during COVID-19-related lockdown in Abakaliki, Nigeria}, elocation-id = {2020.08.30.20184697}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.1101/2020.08.30.20184697}, publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press}, abstract = {Introduction: Several studies on COVID-19 and pregnancy have been published recently, but few studies have evaluated the impact of this pandemic on maternal mental health particularly in low-resource setting. Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19-related depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among pregnant women. Materials and methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted among 456 pregnant women attending prenatal care at Abakaliki, Nigeria during COVID-19-related lockdown. They were screened for psychological morbidities using DASS 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale). Results: Severe and extremely severe depression were reported in 33 (7.2\%) and 29 (6.4\%) participants respectively. 15 (3.3\%) and 35 (7.7\%) women had severe and extremely severe anxiety respectively. 105 (23\%) had severe anxiety whereas 76 (16.7\%) reported extremely severe stress. Multiparity (2 - 4) and occupations such as trading and farming were predictors of depression whereas grandmultiparity, urban residence and trading were identified as predictors of anxiety and stress. Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were relatively common among pregnant women during COVID-19-related lockdown in Abakaliki, Nigeria. There is a need to integrate screening for depression, anxiety and stress in existing antenatal care programs so as to identify and prevent long term adverse psychological outcome related to COVID-19 pandemic.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.Funding StatementNoneAuthor DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:Research and Ethics Committee of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital,Abakaliki,NigeriaAll necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.YesData is available upon request}, URL = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/early/2020/09/02/2020.08.30.20184697}, eprint = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/early/2020/09/02/2020.08.30.20184697.full.pdf}, journal = {medRxiv} }