Journal article
Tokophobia: A narrative review of etiology, prevalence, and treatment options
Clínica e investigación en ginecología y obstetricia, Vol.53(1), 101073
01/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Tokophobia, the intense fear of childbirth, is increasingly recognized as a significant global health concern with serious implications for women's mental well-being and reproductive decisions. This narrative review explores its worldwide incidence and prevalence, revealing notable variations across regions-moderate to high rates are reported in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa, while lower rates are observed in European countries. Tokophobia is associated with adverse mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and it also influences reproductive behavior, including reduced fertility and increased preference for elective cesarean sections. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published between 2013 and 2023. The findings high light the urgent need for early detection and targeted interventions to mitigate the psychological and reproductive consequences of tokophobia. Greater awareness and research into its complex interplay with maternal mental health are essential to inform clinical practice and public health strategies.
Details
- Title
- Tokophobia: A narrative review of etiology, prevalence, and treatment options
- Creators
- L. Esmalian Khamseh - University of BergenJ Jomeen - Southern Cross UniversityR. Cousins - Liverpool Hope UniversityM. Aruguete - Lincoln University - MissouriV. Sharma - The University of Western Ontario (Canada, London)
- Publication Details
- Clínica e investigación en ginecología y obstetricia, Vol.53(1), 101073
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 14
- Identifiers
- 991013350773402368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Elsevier España, S.L.U
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article