title: Coping strategies of pregnant women following unexpected ultrasound results, Alexandria, Egypt.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Receiving a diagnosis of a potential fetal anomaly causes severe stress to a pregnant woman. Little is known about the coping strategies used by these women, especially in Egypt.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the coping strategies used by women following unexpected findings in routine antenatal ultrasound scan in Alexandria, Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed method (convergent parallel) quantitative and qualitative approach was used to target pregnant women at 20-32 weeks of gestation. The quantitative study included 93 women, whereas the qualitative one included a purposively chosen subsample of 30 women representing diverse diagnoses. A 10-item questionnaire was used in the quantitative part to assess active, avoidant, and negative coping strategies. In the qualitative part, coping was assessed by analyzing the transcripts of women's experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although women used equal numbers of avoidant and active strategies (3.34±0.56 vs. 3.30±0.73, Z=0.273, P=0.78), the reported effectiveness of active strategies ranked higher than that of the avoidant ones (χ=54.64, P<0.001). Women with an education level up to high school or higher perceived high effectiveness of active and/or avoidant strategies compared with women with less education (χ=4.087, P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women concurrently used more than one coping strategy. The effectiveness of active strategies was higher than that of the avoidant ones. The educational level was the only factor associated with perceived high effectiveness of active and/or avoidant strategies. Helping future mothers acquire active coping skills through counseling sessions and support groups are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Zeinab N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Shata
authors.forename: Hager M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: Samia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nossier
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000523:psychology*