Trends in the prevalence of antenatal depression and social support among pregnant women in China, 2016-2021: A repeated cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate temporal trends and associations between social support and antenatal depression among women in late pregnancy.

STUDY

DESIGN

A repeated cross-sectional design was used. A total of 3404 pregnant women at their 30-42 weeks of pregnancy were recruited from the two largest maternity hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China between 2016 and 2021.

METHODS

The primary outcome was the prevalence of antenatal depression, and it was measured by the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. We also assessed the level of social support, including support from family members, support from friends, and support from significant others of social support.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2021, the prevalence of antenatal depression among women in late pregnancy had increased significantly from 31.82 % to 60.59 % (p < 0.001 for trend). In the meantime, level of social support had decreased significantly (p < 0.001 for trend). Logistic regression results suggested that those with higher levels of social support tended to report lower rates of antenatal depression.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an increasing trend of antenatal depression among pregnant women in China between 2016 and 2021, along with a decreasing trend of social support.