Prevalence and associated factors of fear for childbirth among pregnant women in eastern Sudan

Background: Prenatal fear of childbirth (FOC) is a major health problem. In spite of its importance, there are few studies on FOC in Africa and no published studies on FOC in Sudan. Objectives: This research aims to assess the prevalence of FOC amongst pregnant Sudanese women and to determine its associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif, eastern Sudan. The sociodemographic and obstetric data were gathered through a questionnaire. Fear of childbirth was assessed with the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ. The three-item Oslo social support scale was used to measure the psychosocial condition of the participants. A logistic regression analysis was performed with severe FOC as dependent variable and sociodemographic, obstetric factors and social support as independent factors. Results: A total of 475 women were enrolled in the research. Their median age (interquartile range) was 26.0 (8.0) years. Of these 475 women, 110 (23.2%) were primigravidae, 270 (56.8%) were parous and 95 (20%) were grandmultiparae. Fitty -three (11.1%) women experienced severe FOC (scored ≥66 on the W-DEQ). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, primiparity (adjusted odds ratio = 23.26) was associated with severe FOC. There was no significant association between age, education or social support and severe FOC. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 11.1% of pregnant Sudanese women exhibited FOC. Primigravidae were more likely to have severe FOC. The implementation of birth education programmes for this risk group is recommended in Sudan.