THE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDBIRTH SELF-EFFICACY AND ATTITUDE TOWARD NORMAL DELIVERY WITH PREGNANCY ANXIETY IN PRIMIGRAVIDA WOMEN REFERRED TO SELECTED HEALTH CARE CENTERS OF SHAHRIAR CITY IN 2018

Background & Aims: Anxiety is one of the psychological problems of pregnant mothers. That is a powerful factor in predicting negative outcomes during childbirth. Women with low self-efficacy in childbirth are afraid that they will not be able to cope well with the pain of childbirth. Therefore, self-efficacy can play an important role in choosing the type of delivery. On the other hand, misconceptions about childbirth and high levels of anxiety during pregnancy also increase the rate of elective cesarean section. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and attitude toward delivery with pregnancy anxiety in primigravida women referred to selected health centers of Shahriar in 2018. Materials & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Six health centers were identified for the present study. The sample included 265 first mothers. Demographic questionnaires, Louis' delivery self-efficacy, and Harman's attitude toward pregnancy and Wendenberg's anxiety were used for data collection. Results: The results showed that the expected self-efficacy had a significant and inverse correlation with anxiety and its dimensions. Attitude toward delivery had a significant and positive correlation with anxiety and its dimensions. There was a significant and inverse correlation between attitude and expected self-efficacy. Conclusion: Educational interventions based on increasing self-efficacy and positive attitude toward vaginal delivery can be effective in reducing pregnancy anxiety.