Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2026.031

Risk factors associated with fear of childbirth among pregnant womenNursing - Original article

Stela Šegľová, Zuzana Škodová ORCID..., Martina Bašková * ORCID...
Comenius University Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Midwifery, Martin, Slovak Republic

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the associations between selected risk factors and the level of fear of childbirth among pregnant women.

Methods: The research sample consisted of 251 pregnant women, most commonly aged 25-30 years, in all stages of pregnancy. The level of fear was measured using the standardized Tokophobia Severity Scale (TSS) questionnaire, supplemented with demographic data and obstetric history information. Data were processed as a combined research design and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: Statistically significant associations were found between the level of fear of childbirth and pregnant women's education (p = 0.015) and high-risk pregnancy (p = 0.041). The most common concerns reported by participants were complications during pregnancy (55%) and concerns about potential threats to the child during pregnancy or delivery (48%).

Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of systematic educational activities, open communication with pregnant women, and interprofessional collaboration in reducing concerns about potential health complications affecting the child in the future. Particular attention should be paid to demographic groups with lower levels of education. Risk factors associated with fear of childbirth require further targeted research.

Keywords: Delivery; Fear of childbirth; Pregnancy; Risk factors; Tokophobia
Grants and funding:

This research was supported by the VEGA project No. 1/0063/25: Post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth and its association with perceived maternal autonomy and respect during childbirth. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: December 8, 2025; Revised: February 9, 2026; Accepted: April 8, 2026; Prepublished online: May 18, 2026 

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