Factors associated with fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Malaysia

Background/Aims Fear of childbirth, also known as tokophobia, significantly impacts a woman's mental health during pregnancy and birth, but how this fear changes or manifests through pregnancy and childbirth is under-researched. This study aimed to determine factors associated with fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Malaysia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 243 pregnant women at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Data were collected using the Childbirth Fear Questionnaire. Pearson's Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used to examine the association between fear and participants' demographic and obstetric characteristics. Results More than one-third (38.3%) of participants had moderate fear of childbirth, while 11.1% had severe fear. Fear of childbirth was associated with age (P=0.044). Almost all participants reported that their fear had a low impact on their life (93.4%). This impact was associated with age (P=0.008) and parity (P=0.019). Conclusions Almost half of the participants experienced moderate or severe fear of childbirth, which was linked with their age. However, most did not find that it seriously impacted their daily life. Implications for practice Healthcare professionals should incorporate routine screening for fear of childbirth, particularly among younger and first-time mothers, and integrate tailored antenatal education with brief psychological interventions to reduce fear and promote positive birth experiences.