Abstract
BackgroundAntenatal depression (AD) is considered as one of the major health burdens and has adverse effects on the outcome of expectant mothers and newborns. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression (AD), and to explore the potential risk factors of AD among pregnant women in Chengdu, including personal background, related social factors, family factors and cognitive factors.MethodsThe prospective nested case-control study included pregnant women who were in their second pregnancy and attended prenatal care at three tertiary hospitals and one regional hospital in Chengdu, China, between March 2015 and May 2016. Self-designed questionnaires were given to participants in their second and third trimesters to collect information on clinical and demographic characteristics, and a modified edition of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure AD. The logistic regression was applicated in analyses.ResultsA total of 996 pregnant women were included in analysis. Ninety-three women suffered from AD symptoms only in their second trimester, 96 only in their third trimester, and 107 displayed persistent depression in both trimesters. In the univariate analyses, age and marital relationships were linked with AD occurrence in both second and third trimester. In addition, increasing age, full-time job, higher education level, and no gender preference of spouse were associated with reduced persistent depression. Multivariate analysis showed that gender preference and marital relationship were the potential risk factors of persistent depression.ConclusionsAge, marital relationship relationships, with parents-in-law, the negative recognition of this pregnancy and husband’s gender preference were found as risk factors of AD occurrence in some specific trimester. Gender preference of husbands and marital relationships were independently associated with persistent depression. These findings suggest that stronger family support can help improve mental health of pregnant women.
Highlights
Antenatal depression (AD) is considered as one of the major health burdens and has adverse effects on the outcome of expectant mothers and newborns
Measurement of AD: the modified edition of 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) by Wang et al [14, 15], which is more suitable for Chinese population and is widely used for the maternal depression screening in mainland China
Results showed that most participants had lived in Chengdu for more than 5 years (n = 726, 72.89%), and the majority pregnant women had full-time job (n = 769, 77.21%) and higher education (n = 749, 75.20%)
Summary
Antenatal depression (AD) is considered as one of the major health burdens and has adverse effects on the outcome of expectant mothers and newborns. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of antenatal depression (AD), and to explore the potential risk factors of AD among pregnant women in Chengdu, including personal background, related social factors, family factors and cognitive factors. Antenatal depression (AD) is a major depressive disorder during pregnancy characterized by depressive symptoms including sadness or low mood, despondency, sleep disturbance, changes in appetite, suicidal ideation, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure, Hu et al BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2019) 19:420 of identification and treatment in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women [1]. What makes the treatment of AD more complicated is that many antidepressants cannot be applied due to potential side effects on the fetus [8]
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