Table_1_“Worn-out but happy”: Postpartum Women's Mental Health and Well-Being During COVID-19 Restrictions in Australia.docx

Background: From late 2019, COVID-19 disease has infiltrated the global population causing widespread challenges to public health. One cohort that has received less attention, but who may be more vulnerable to the mental and physical health related impacts of COVID-19 restrictions are postpartum mothers. The aim of this study was to explore the mental health, well-being, and health behaviours of mothers up to 12 months postpartum whilst living in Australia under COVID-19 level 3 and 4 restrictions.Methods: 351 women in their first year postpartum residing in Australia whilst under level 3/4 social distancing restrictions (during April 13 and June 11, 2020) were recruited to participate in an online questionnaire. The survey measured symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS), wellness (SF-36), physical activity (Godin-Shephard score), perceived value of health outcomes, diet, and sleep. Descriptive statistics and linear regressions were performed.Results: Data was analysed for 139 eligible women. Of these women, 74% scored “normal” for depression, 84% for anxiety, and 72% for stress. Over half (58%) of women reported being worn out all, most, or a good bit of the time and 77% reported being a happy person all, most, or a good bit of the time. Analysis of the perceived values of health outcome revealed women had high value for “getting out of the house,” “achieving a better overall mood,” and “to feel better physically.” Women were considered physically active according to the Godin Leisure score, however only 41% of women met the current Australian national physical activity guidelines of 150 min.week−1.Conclusions: Overall the majority of postpartum mums that were surveyed, have normal mental health symptoms, and despite being worn out most are happy at least a good bit of the time. This study highlights the importance of health values in maintaining leisure physical activity and mental health. In addition it appears women may benefit from virtual group exercise and community programs to encourage being physically active and socialising with friends simultaneously.

背景：自2019年末以来，COVID-19疾病已渗透全球人群，对公共卫生造成了广泛的挑战。一个受到较少关注的群体，但可能更容易受到COVID-19限制措施对心理健康和身体健康影响的是产后母亲。本研究旨在探讨在澳大利亚受到COVID-19三级和四级限制措施的情况下，产后母亲直至产后12个月的心理健康、福祉和健康行为。方法：在2020年4月13日至6月11日期间，招募了351名居住在澳大利亚的产后第一年的女性参与在线问卷。该调查测量了抑郁、焦虑和压力（DASS）症状，福祉（SF-36），身体活动（Godin-Shephard评分），对健康结果的感知价值，饮食和睡眠。进行了描述性统计和线性回归分析。结果：对139名合格女性的数据进行了分析。在这些女性中，74%的抑郁评分正常，84%的焦虑评分正常，72%的压力评分正常。超过一半（58%）的女性报告说，她们在大部分时间或大部分时间都感到筋疲力尽，77%的女性报告说，她们在大部分时间或大部分时间都是快乐的人。对健康结果感知价值的分析显示，女性对“走出家门”、“达到更好的整体情绪”和“感觉身体更好”有很高的价值。根据Godin休闲评分，女性被认为是有身体活动的，然而只有41%的女性达到了当前澳大利亚国家每周150分钟的身体活动指南。结论：总体而言，调查的大多数产后母亲心理健康症状正常，尽管大部分时间都感到疲惫，但至少大部分时间都是快乐的。这项研究强调了在维持休闲身体活动和心理健康中，健康价值观的重要性。此外，似乎女性可能从虚拟团体锻炼和社区项目中受益，这些项目可以同时鼓励身体活动和与朋友社交。