A cross-country comparison of the impact of covid-19 on socioeconomical, psychological, and relational well-being of pregnant and non-pregnant women in latvia and portugal

Introduction and aims of the study: Since March 2020, the entire world has been experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exerted influence on the lives of populations worldwide, pregnant women included. This study examined the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictions on socioeconomical, psychological, and relational indices of well-being of pregnant and non-pregnant reproductive-age women in two European countries. Methods: As a part of the international multi-country study I-SHARE, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Latvia and Portugal in periods of similar COVID-related restrictions (Latvia: July-October 2020; Portugal: September-October 2020). Key dimensions of impact (i.e., socioeconomical factors, mental health, relationship well-being) were analyzed and compared between pregnant and non-pregnant reproductive-age women who were in a relationship for both countries, using SPSS v26.0. Results and discussion: A total of 201 pregnant women were included (70 of 1173 Latvian participants, 131 of 2701 Portuguese participants), corresponding to 10.6% and 5.1% of female reproductive-age responders accordingly. In both countries, financial worries increased and the economic situation deteriorated due to COVID-19, with no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women. A majority of pregnant women felt anxious, depressed, or frustrated due to COVID-19 in both countries (> 60%). However, pregnant women’s levels of frustration due to COVID-19 restrictions differed between countries (43% in Latvia vs 65% in Portugal). When analyzing the psychological atmosphere between partners during COVID-19 compared to before the pandemic, pregnant women reported less tension with and substantial more emotional support from their partners than non-pregnant women in both countries (ps < .029). Conclusions: Detrimental socioeconomical and psychological experiences were similarly reported by pregnant and non-pregnant women in both countries, including worsened psychological health and increased financial worries. In Latvia and Portugal alike, pregnant women experienced better relational well-being during the pandemic than non-pregnant women. Current results may inform the development of evidence-based health-care guidelines promoting maternal well-being during the current pandemic.