The prevalence of depression in pregnant patients and its associated risk factors: A cross sectional study at the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital.

OBJECTIVES

Pregnancy is a physiologic condition that leads to many metabolic, cellular, and hormonal changes. Depression is a common mental illness among women of reproductive age group, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of depression in pregnant women to find associated risk factors, and screening for S/S of depression.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 311 pregnant women aged 18 years and over, with a pregnancy of 14 weeks or more, who were admitted to Cukurova University Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic between August 1, 2022, and September 15, 2022. Sociodemographic data Form, the obstetric examination Form, and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were used for data collection. The statistical analysis was evaluated using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 20.0 package program, and the statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age was 28,9±5,9 years; 42.1% were graduates of primary school, and 97.7% were married, 18.6% had consanguineous marriage. Of the patients, 84.9% were not working, partners of 89.1% were working, 80.1% were living in a nuclear family, and 62.7% reported that their monthly income was insufficient. There were no chronic disorders in 79.4% of the participants, 83.0% were not smoking, and 79.4% were not doing regular exercise. Based on EPDS, 33.76% were found to have a high risk for depression. Having a previous diagnosis of depression, living in an extended family, smoking, not receiving support from the partner, and having insufficient monthly income increased the depression risk levels (p=0,001; p<0,001; p=0,002; p=0,015; p=0,028, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The risk for antenatal depression is common among women. Screening for the signs and symptoms of depression in pregnant women would contribute to the prevention of depression, improve maternal and fetal health, and also the family life.