Experiences of an earthquake during pregnancy, antenatal mental health and infants' birthweight in Bhaktapur District, Nepal, 2015: a population-based cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infant birthweight is an important public health indicator that is a proxy of maternal and baby's health. Earthquakes can cause acute distress, but can also contribute to chronic stress through long-term disruptions to social, economic and domestic circumstances. The aims of this study were to examine the direct effect of earthquake experiences on the birthweight of infants of women who experienced the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes during pregnancy and whether mental health mediated this relationship.

Methods

This is a prospective, population-based cohort study. Pregnant women in Bhaktapur District, Nepal who had experienced the 2015 earthquakes after conception were recruited. Baseline data were collected in structured individual interviews. Follow up was a short teleph

SUBMITTER: Khatri GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7370411 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature