Fear of childbirth and its associated factors among pregnant women in Dejen Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract Fears of delivery are the uncertainty and worry experienced before, during, and following labor. It hurts women's health and affects 5–40% of all moms globally. If not recognized, it could cause expectant mothers to feel alone and unsupported. Studies on this subject, however, are scarce at the woreda level. Therefore, this study amis to assess the prevalence and associated factors of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Dejen Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 575 pregnant women selected by Cluster Sapling from December 15 to December 25, 2022. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that was presented by an interviewer. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 statistical software. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were done, and ordinary logistic regression was used to examine the associated factor for fear of childbirth. Finally, a P-value < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Among the 575 pregnant women supposed to have participated, 560 agreed and participated in the survey, with a response rate of 97.4%. This study showed that 133(23.8%; CI 20.4–26.8) of the study participants had low fear of childbirth, 67(12%; CI (9.3–14.8 moderate, 217 (38.8%; CI 34.6–42.7) high, 143 (25.5%; CI 21.8–29.1) severe fear of childbirth. Having maternal age 18–24 (adjusted odds ratio/AOR = 1.6; 95% CI (1.1–2.3), p-value = -0.08), occupation daily laborer and other (AOR = 0.3,95%; CI 0.3, 0–74; p-value = 0.004),gestational age in third trimester (AOR = 1.9,95%; CI 1.1–3.4), p-value = 0.022) showed significant factor for a fear of childbirth. Maternal age, occupation, and third-trimester pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with fear of childbirth. Women should engage in special attention to keep them healthy by consistent monitoring during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should identify pregnant women with high fear of childbirth early, offer cognitive behavioral therapy, support psychological and physical well-being, provide early age and preventive measures, and use uniform instruments for assessing women's anxiety, promoting systematic reviews and longitudinal studies.