Quasi-experimental study reveals brief CBT reduces fear of childbirth and enhances quality of life, suggesting mental health interventions during pregnancy are beneficial.
Key Points
MAIN FINDING: Brief cognitive-behavioral techniques significantly reduced fear of childbirth in the intervention group.
KEY EVIDENCE: Post-intervention, fear of childbirth showed a significant decrease (t=-3.51, P < 0.01) compared to the control group.
APPROACH: The study involved 117 pregnant women receiving CBT in group sessions over 8 weeks at public hospitals in Ethiopia.
SIGNIFICANCE: Findings emphasize the importance of mental health interventions to improve quality of life during pregnancy.