The relationship between climate change awareness and eco-anxiety and quality of life in pregnant women

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between climate change awareness and eco-anxiety levels in pregnant women and their quality of life. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Clinic at Balıkesir University Health Application and Research Hospital (N=1630). The sample size was calculated as 439 with a 95% confidence level, 4% margin of error, and 50% prevalence; the study was completed with 460 pregnant women. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Quality of Life in Pregnancy Scale, Climate Change Awareness Scale, and Eco-Anxiety Scale through face-to-face interviews. The mean age of the participants was 28.46±5.07 years, and 63.7% were in their second trimester of pregnancy. The mean score on the Quality of Life in Pregnancy Scale was 19.50±5.41, the mean score on the Climate Change Awareness Scale was 120.19±36.50, and the mean score on the Eco-Anxiety Scale was 10.16±6.54. The quality of life is lower in pregnant women whose partner is unemployed, who have a low socioeconomic status, who have had multiple pregnancies, who have had an unplanned pregnancy, who do not attend regular health check-ups, who have concerns about pregnancy, who lack physical activity, and who are concerned about climate change and the environment (p<0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the mean scores of the Quality of Life Scale during Pregnancy and the Eco-Anxiety Scale (r=0.274–0.440, p<0.05). Regression analysis showed that eco-anxiety had a positive and significant effect on quality of life during pregnancy (β=0.368, p<0.05). It was determined that the eco-anxiety levels of pregnant women had a positive and significant effect on their quality of life. Developing pregnant women's coping skills for eco-anxiety is important for improving their quality of life.