Pregnant women who live in the Bristol area are invited to take part in a new COVID-19 study run by the University of Bristol. The PiP (Pregnant in a Pandemic) study aims to improve the social distancing guidance and support available to pregnant women during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute-funded study is being carried out in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's advice about social distancing to help pregnant women avoid catching and spreading the disease.
The project aims to recruit up to 30 women between the ages of 18 and 50 years who are currently pregnant and living in Bristol and surrounding areas. The researchers would like to hear their views and experiences during the current pandemic in a one-off 30-minute telephone or videocall interview.
This study will investigate pregnant women's views on:
- the social distancing guidance;
- ability to follow guidance;
- the impacts that social distancing measures are having on them
Dr Emma Anderson, Health Psychologist and Senior Research Associate in the Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences (PHS), who is leading the study, said: "We are living in unprecedented times, which require mass behaviour change to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Pregnant women have been listed by Public Health England (PHE) as an 'at risk' group for serious illness from the disease and advise extra vigilance with social distancing restrictions compared to others.
"We currently do not know how easy it is for pregnant women to follow these restrictions, which is why we are running the study. Our findings will be shared with policymakers and could make a difference to other pregnant women within the current health crisis."
Women taking part in the study will be offered a £10 Amazon voucher in appreciation of their time.
Participation in the study is voluntary and participants will have the right to withdraw at any point.
