Original articles
Adjustment of outings during pregnancy by Japanese primiparas during the coronavirus disease pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study
2022 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 200-211
Details
2022 Volume 36 Issue 2 Pages 200-211
Purpose
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected outings associated with work, shopping, eating out, exercising, and entertainment. Reportedly, COVID-19 induced restrictions in social activities and outings are associated with physical and mental health issues. However, adjustments in outings during pregnancy remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the adjustment strategies adopted by Japanese primiparas for outings during the COVID-19 pandemic and women's attitudes toward these adjustments during pregnancy.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews with 11 Japanese primiparas 2–3 months postpartum was conducted between July and November 2021. The participants were recruited from a prospective cohort study performed at a university hospital in Tokyo. Data were analyzed inductively, using a qualitative descriptive approach. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo.
Results
A total of 21 codes, 13 subcategories, and 5 categories were extracted from the data. Some women implemented “restrictions on outings to reduce the infection risk during pregnancy” owing to concerns regarding the effects of COVID-19 infection on the health of the fetus. Pregnancy led to “increased outings with little social contact considering healthy pregnancy and postpartum life.” On the other hand, some women freely stepped out during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to their pre-pregnancy behavior. They “continued high-priority outings throughout pregnancy while implementing infection prevention measures” to maintain the status of their pre-pregnancy lives, “continued social outings even during the pandemic, without being overly concerned regarding the risk of infection during pregnancy,” and “continued their pre-pregnancy lifestyle with the lowest risk of infection.”
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese primiparas adjusted their outings based on perceived infection risk during pregnancy, perceived health risks to themselves and their fetus related to daily activities, priorities for outing behaviors during pregnancy, and living condition before pregnancy. Healthcare professionals should provide health guidance that takes into account adjustments in outing behaviors of pregnant women during infectious disease pandemics.
