Publication:

A study of factors associated with tokophobia and its effect on pregnancy

Background Tokophobia is pathological fear of childbirth which has bearing on the women’s health with the physical and psychosocial morbidity. It includes fear of injury to the baby, genital tract, death and is a common cause for which a woman opts for caesarean section. Recognition of tokophobia and close liaison with  obstetricians/specialists can help to reduce its severity and ensure treatment. Aim of the current study was to assess the incidence of tokophobia and correlation with the sociodemographic variables to evaluate the possibility of reducing the requests for caesarean section.

Methods 150 pregnant women attending the antenatal OPD and labour ward in a tertiary care centre constituted the study population. Data was gathered using standard questionnaire to assess fear of child birth, anxiety associated and was analysed with chi-square test for statistical significance.

Results 150 women included in the study, the incidence of tokophobia was 55.3% and severe tokophobia was 30.7%. Of these 62% were primigravidae and 38% multigravidae.15.3% of the total requested for caesarean section with the major reason being fear of childbirth. However, 84.7% of the study population did so without any such request for caesarean section. Higher incidence of tokophobia was observed in women with intermediate education as against those who completed their graduation and post-graduation.

Conclusions Tokophobia is associated with pregnant women in different severity. It’s influenced by sociodemographic variables like educational and socioeconomic status. Improvement in sociodemographic conditions could reduce tokophobia.