Association between fear avoidance belief and pain in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain

To determine the association of fear avoidance belief as a mental element with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 171 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain for 4 months. The samples were collected from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, Al-Khidmat Teaching Mansoorah Hospital, Bahria International Hospital and private clinics. Informed consent was signed by each patient. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. p<0.05 was considered significant Results: Out of 171 women, 27(15.8%) had mild, 138(80.7%) had moderate and 6(3.5%) had severe pelvic girdle pain. In physical activity, 40(23.4%) had very low fear, 30(17.5%) had low fear, 94(55%) had moderate fear, 6(3.5%) had high fear and 1(0.6%) had very high fear. In work, 22(12.9%) had very low fear, 87(50.9%) had low fear, 55(32.2%) had moderate fear, 6(3.5%) had high fear and 1(0.6%) had very high fear (p= 0.000 for both). Conclusion Fear avoidance beliefs, with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy could be anticipated. Fear avoidance belief varied with pain severity. (author)