Gestation-related psychosocial factors in women from Medellin, Colombia

Abstract

IntroductionPerinatal stress and the impact generated by adverse conditions could affect fetal development negatively with long term and short term manifestations and could increase the risk of maternal depression. ObjectiveTo determine the psychosocial risk factors present in women with high-obstetric risk and hospitalized in a high complexity institution. MethodsA cross-sectional study that included 112 pregnant or immediate postpartum women, who were evaluated using a scale designed by the researchers and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. ResultsMedian age was 24 (RIC 9) years; 39.3% of the women were pregnant, and 65.9% had a gestational age of more than 28 weeks. The main reason for hospitalization was threat of preterm delivery in 39.2%. 52.4% planned the pregnancy and 22.3% had depressive symptoms compatible with depression. Suicidal ideas and suicide attempts were more prevalent in the first trimester (7.2% and 3.6%). DiscussionThe high prevalence of depressive symptoms in the population studied coincides with what was reported in similar studies in Latin America. The fact that pregnancy does not protect against suicide was confirmed. ConclusionsPsychosocial screening is recommended in every pregnant woman and women in immediate postpartum to detect symptoms and risk factors for depression.