Social support and antenatal depression in extended and nuclear family environments in Turkey: a cross-sectional survey

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.

Global prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in different trimesters of pregnancy: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

The global prevalence of psychological problems in different trimesters is unclear due to methodological constraints in previous reviews. A precise estimate would be a key first step in raising awareness and allocating resources. This review aims to (1) calculate the global prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during different trimesters and (2) determine the factors influencing their prevalence estimates. A comprehensive search across eight databases was conducted. The meta packages in R software were used to perform meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression analysis. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the study quality, while the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method was utilized to assess the certainty of the evidence. A total of 88 studies with 61,719 participants across 48 countries were included. The prevalences of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during all trimesters were 27% (95% CI: 23-31), 37% (95% CI: 31-42), and 26% (95% CI: 9-49), respectively. The second trimester had the highest prevalence of depression (30%) and anxiety (28%) symptoms, whereas the third trimester had the highest prevalence of stress symptoms (52%). A series of subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that regions, economic levels of the country, setting, the COVID-19 pandemic, and quality of study were significant factors. Most studies were high quality, but the certainty of the evidence was very low. Findings can contribute as evidence to raising awareness about specific psychological problems during different trimesters. Implementing effective policies and launching targeted interventions can help minimize the prevalence.

Determinant factors and coping strategies for depression among pregnant women: an intervention-based qualitative study in Lahore, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

The present study is an intervention-based qualitative study that explores the factors causing depression among antenatal women and analyses coping strategies based on the modified version of the Thinking Healthy Programme (THP) intervention in the urban setting of Lahore, Pakistan.

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative evaluation approach was used in the present study. The study comprises four phases, i.e., the screening phase, exploratory phase, intervention phase, and evaluation phase. During the first phase, pregnant women aged 18-45 years were screened for anxiety and depression by using the Urdu-translated Patient Health Care Questionnaire-9. In the second phase, identified women were interviewed to explore the factors responsible for depression. In the third phase, the intervention was administered via the THP intervention. In the last phase, the same women were reinterviewed to analyse the outcomes of the intervention. Thematic analysis was performed for the analysis of the interviews.

RESULTS

Data was analyzed using thematic analysis following an deductive and indictive approach in both pre- and post-intervention phase. Three main themes emerged in the pre-intervention phase: (1) the impact of adverse life events on the mental health of pregnant women, (2) the adverse effects of marital relationship issues on pregnant women, and (3) depression-causing factors due to the joint family system. Furthermore, four themes emerged in the post-intervention stage: (1) development of positivity in thinking and attitude, (2) learning about stress management through the provision of compassion and sharing avenues, (3) gaining self-esteem to address matters positively, and (4) improving relationships with the unborn child and family. Numerous pregnant women praised the THP project and recommended that hospitals adopt it to assist pregnant patients in the Pakistani health system.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that THP can be a valuable tool for helping many pregnant women who are experiencing prenatal depression recover, however, there is a further need for exploring its benefits in varying social and cultural contexts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study has been registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT04663243).

Men's perception and participation in maternal and child health care in the field practice area of a teaching hospital: A cross-sectional study from rural Bengal

Introduction

Participation of men in maternal and child health (MCH) is crucial for the reduction of infant and maternal mortality. MCH care services have been focused on providing information and services to women, but males' behaviour and decisions affect the health of the child and mother.

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to assess the perception and participation of males in MCH care as well as, to identify the association of their perception and participation with socio-demographic characteristics and to find out the correlation between perception and participation regarding MCH care.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive type of observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 125 male residents from selected subcentres in Budge Budge II block of South 24 Parganas. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a predesigned, pretested, structured schedule. Multivariable binary logistic regression was done to identify the association between dependent and independent variables (P < 0.05). The correlation between perception and participation was assessed by Spearman's rho.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 34.3 (±5.6) years with most (59.2%) between the ages of 31-40 years of age. About 24% were unaware of pregnancy registration time, and 30.4% did not know the number of minimum antenatal check-ups. In total, 20% of study participants did not accompany their partner to the Antenatal Care (ANC) clinic, 6.4% did not accompany them during delivery, and almost 33.6% did not accompany their child to the immunization session. No variables were found to be significantly associated with the dependent variables. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between perception and participation (ρ = 0.3).

Conclusion

Men's perception and participation in MCH care services were found to be reasonably good though they can be improved. Awareness raises about the importance of men's role in supporting their partner's health during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as the overall well-being of their children through public health campaigns, community events, and targeted educational programs.

Global Prevalence of Perinatal Depression and Its Determinants Among Rural Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Perinatal depression (PND) in low-resource areas is a significant concern that imposes a substantial burden on both families and societies. Although many studies have explored rural PND, there is a lack of systematic synthesis of the existing research. This study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of PND among rural women and to summarize its determinants. Methods: Comprehensively electronic searches were performed across eight English databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of the study and extracted the relevant data. Any inconsistencies were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. Prevalence estimates were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression were employed to examine the source of heterogeneity. In addition, a narrative synthesis of the influence factors reported in the included studies was provided. Results: The search identified 17,810 studies, of which 86 were included in the analyses. The pooled prevalence of PND in rural areas was 22.1% (95% CI 19.0%-25.3%, p < 0.001, I 2 = 99.2%). Subgroup analyses indicated higher PND prevalence in low-income (24.5%) and lower middle-income countries (22.8%). Additionally, PND prevalence was greater when assessed using self-reported screening instruments (22.8%) compared to diagnostic interviews (17.6%). Major risk factors included violence, antenatal psychiatric disorder, low family income, male-child preference, and food insecurity, while positive social support and higher levels of education were protective factors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the prevalence of PND is higher in rural areas compared to global data, particularly in low-income and lower middle-income countries. To improve rural maternal mental health, it is essential to develop measures targeting modifiable risk factors for PND, including promoting gender equality, implementing antiviolence initiatives, and strengthening economic support systems. Addressing these factors can help reduce the burden of PND and enhance the well-being of mothers in rural communities.

Father involvement is a protective factor for maternal mental health in Western Kenya

Depression is a major global health concern especially among mothers of young children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While various risk and protective factors have been well-established, the role of fathers in potentially mitigating maternal depression remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate the association between father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in rural Western Kenya. We used cross-sectional baseline data collected in February-March 2023 from a cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based parenting program for improving early childhood development. Primary caregivers with children 0-18 months of age were enrolled into the trial across 51 villages in Nyamira and Vihiga counties. We analyzed data from 413 mothers who were in a relationship with a male partner (i.e., father of the young child). Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the CESD-10. Father involvement was reported using a multidimensional measure of men's engagement in childcare activities, household chores, early learning activities, and affection towards their child. We used multilevel regression models to estimate the adjusted associations between father involvement (overall score and by specific domains) and maternal depressive symptoms. We also conducted exploratory subgroup analyses to assess whether this association differed by child age. Overall, greater father involvement was associated with fewer maternal depressive symptoms. Specifically, fathers' engagement in household chores and childcare activities had the strongest protective associations. Exploratory subgroup analyses revealed larger associations for mothers with younger children under 6 months. Our findings suggest that father involvement is a protective factor for maternal mental health. Engaging fathers in early childhood interventions and encouraging men's involvement in caregiving activities may potentially benefit maternal well-being.

Path analysis of influencing factors for maternal antenatal depression in the third trimester

Maternal antenatal depression (AD) is a nonpsychotic depressive episode during pregnancy that can harm both the pregnant woman and the fetus. This study aimed to investigate the intrinsic interrelationships between AD and its influencing factors by constructing a path model. This survey-based cross-sectional study included 1071 pregnant women who underwent pregnancy examinations in three hospitals in Nantong City, China, between February and June 2023. General information and information regarding maternal AD, pregnancy stress, prenatal anxiety, social support, marital satisfaction, sleep quality, and resilience were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS 25.0 was employed to determine the factors influencing pregnancy depression, and Amos25.0 was used to construct a structural equation model. AD incidence was 19.4% (208/1071). The independent risk factors affecting AD in pregnant women have been integrated into the established path analysis model. The model demonstrated a good fit (χ2/DF = 1.238, comparative fit index = 0.999, goodness-of-fit index = 0.998, normed fit index = 0.996, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.990, incremental fit index = 0.999, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.015). While prenatal anxiety (0.230) and hyperthyroidism (0.048) only had direct effects on AD, mental resilience was the biggest factor affecting AD, followed by pregnancy stress, marital satisfaction, prenatal anxiety, sleep quality, social support, and hyperthyroidism. Improved mental resilience, social support, sleep quality, and marital satisfaction; reduced pregnancy stress and prenatal anxiety; and effective hyperthyroidism treatment might reduce AD. This study underscored the significance of delivering actionable strategies and tangible assistance to pregnant women to reduce AD.

Depressive symptoms and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia, 2022: an institution-based cross-sectional study

Background

Depression during pregnancy has a significant impact on public health as it can adversely affect both the mother's and the child's health. These can have devastating effects on the mother, the unborn child, and the entire family.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at comprehensive specialized hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia from May to June 2022.

Measurement

The desired data were collected through face-to-face interview techniques by using validated questionnaires such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Oslo-3 social support scale, and the Abuse Assessment Screen tools. The data were analyzed by using SPSS Version 25. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. Variables having a p-value of <0.2 in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant, at 95% CI.

Results

This study revealed that 91 (19.2%) pregnant women screened positive for depressive symptoms. According to multivariable logistic regression, living in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.267, 5.256), being in the second or third trimesters of gestational phase (AOR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.949, 9.966 and AOR = 5.42, 95% CI: 2.438, 12.028, respectively), having a history of alcohol use (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.099, 5.260), having moderate or poor social support (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.220, 5.338 and AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.106, 5.268), and having a history of intimate partner violence (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.416, 5.016) were the factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms at a p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Conclusion and recommendation

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among pregnant women was high. Living in rural areas, second and third trimesters, use of alcohol, having moderate to poor social support, and having a history of intimate partner violence were variables significantly associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

The higher levels of self-reported satisfaction, the lower risk of depressive symptoms: Evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional study in China

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the associations between several dimensions of self-reported satisfaction and the risk of depressive symptoms among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of middle-aged and older adults. Depressive status was evaluated using the 10-item center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CESD-10), and self-reported life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality satisfaction were adopted using Likert 5-point evaluation methods. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied to explore the association between satisfaction and depression risk.

Results

A total of 13,978 Chinese people aged over 45 years old were included in this study, and 35.7% of the participants had depressive symptoms. The GLM analysis indicated that all dimensions of satisfaction were negatively associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. For each 1-point increase in life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality satisfaction, the incidence of depressive symptoms decreased by 60.8% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.392; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.370, 0.414), 56.3% (OR = 0.437; 95% CI: 0.418, 0.458), 41.8% (OR = 0.582; 95% CI: 0.555, 0.610), 37.2% (OR = 0.628; 95% CI: 0.596, 0.662), and 25.6% (OR = 0.744; 95% CI: 0.711, 0.778), respectively.

Conclusion

Higher satisfaction levels with life, health, marital status, parent-child relationship, and air quality are associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. Given the aging society and the increasing mental health problems of middle-aged and older adults in China, our study provides a comprehensive perspective for depression prevention and mental health improvement.

The mediation role of psychological capital between family relationship and antenatal depressive symptoms among women with advanced maternal age: a cross sectional study

Background

Due to changes in family policy in China, pregnancy at advanced age (30 years old or above) is prevalent. Advanced maternal age is known to be related to a variety of negative health outcomes, including antenatal depression. Family relationship quality might be an important factor for antenatal depressive symptoms among Chinese women with advanced maternal age. However, the underlying mechanisms in which family relationship quality can affect antenatal depressive symptoms among this population and how positive psychological capital (PsyCap) intervenes in this impact are not clear.

Objectives

To describe the prevalence and demographic characteristics of antenatal depressive symptoms among Chinese pregnant women with advanced maternal age, and to explore the mediation effect of PsyCap in the associations between family relationship quality and antenatal depressive symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey at a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 192 women with maternal age of 30 years or older completed the questionnaires. Data on antenatal depressive symptoms, PsyCap, family relationship quality and demographic characteristics were collected. The multiple mediation models in SPSS’s PROCESS macro were used to test whether PsyCap mediated the relationship between family relationship quality and antenatal depressive symptoms.

Results

Approximately 28.6% of participants had antenatal depressive symptoms and 6.8% reported poor family relationship quality. Participants with higher education (p = .02) and better family relationship quality (p = .00) were less likely to have antenatal depressive symptoms. PsyCap collectively (β = 1.14, p < .05), or more specifically resilience (β = 0.61, p < .05) significantly mediated the relationship between poor family relationship quality and antenatal depressive symptoms.

Discussion

The relationship between family relationship quality and antenatal depressive symptoms can be mediated by PsyCap collectively or via resilience specifically. It is important to screen antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant women with advanced age, especially those who have poor family relationship quality. Counseling and psychotherapy initiatives for resilience-enhancing training for pregnant women at advanced age may provide a promising target to break the link between poor family relationship quality and antenatal depressive symptoms.

The association between social support and antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms among Australian women

Background

Antenatal depression and antenatal anxiety adversely affect several obstetric and foetal outcomes, and increase the rate of postnatal mental illness. Thus, to tackle these challenges the need for social support during pregnancy is vital. However, an extensive literature search failed to show a published study on the relationship between domains of social support and antenatal depressive, as well as antenatal anxiety symptoms in Australia. This study examined the association between domains of social support and antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms among Australian women.

Methods

The current study used data obtained from the 1973–78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), focusing upon women who reported being pregnant (n = 493). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the 10 item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D-10) scale, and the 9-item Goldberg Anxiety and Depression scale (GADS) respectively. The 19 item-Medical Outcomes Study Social Support index (MOSS) was used to assess social support. A logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between domains of social support and antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms after adjusting for potential confounders.

Result

The current study found 24.7 and 20.9% of pregnant women screened positive for depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, our study found that the odds of antenatal depressive symptoms was about four and threefold higher among pregnant women who reported low emotional/informational support (AOR = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.45, 15.66; p = 0.010) and low social support (overall support) (AOR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.05, 10.10, p = 0.040) respectively compared with their counterpart. In addition, the odds of antenatal anxiety symptoms was seven times higher among pregnant women who reported low affectionate support/positive social interaction (AOR = 7.43; 95%CI: 1.75, 31.55; p = 0.006).

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of pregnant Australian women had depressive symptoms and/or anxiety symptoms, which poses serious health concerns. Low emotional/informational support and low affectionate support/positive social interaction have a significant association with antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. As such, targeted screening of expectant women for social support is essential.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04188-4.

The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Pregnancy is a time of profound physical and emotional change as well as an increased risk of mental illness. While strengthening social support is a common recommendation to reduce such mental health risk, no systematic review or meta-analysis has yet examined the relationship between social support and mental problems during pregnancy.

Methods

The PRISMA checklist was used as a guide to systematically review relevant peer-reviewed literature reporting primary data analyses. PubMed, Psych Info, MIDIRS, SCOPUS, and CINAHL database searches were conducted to retrieve research articles published between the years 2000 to 2019. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale tool was used for quality appraisal and the meta-analysis was conducted using STATA. The Q and the I² statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used to pool estimates. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s regression test and adjusted using trim and Fill analysis.

Result

From the identified 3760 articles, 67 articles with 64,449 pregnant women were part of the current systematic review and meta-analysis. From the total 67 articles, 22 and 45 articles included in the narrative analysis and meta-analysis, respectively. From the total articles included in the narrative analysis, 20 articles reported a significant relationship between low social support and the risk of developing mental health problems (i.e. depression, anxiety, and self-harm) during pregnancy. After adjusting for publication bias, based on the results of the random-effect model, the pooled odds ratio (POR) of low social support was AOR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.41) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal depression and AOR: 1.97 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.92) for studies examining the relationship between low social support and antenatal anxiety.

Conclusion

Low social support shows significant associations with the risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm during pregnancy. Policy-makers and those working on maternity care should consider the development of targeted social support programs with a view to helping reduce mental health problems amongst pregnant women.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12978-021-01209-5.

Pregnancy is a significant event for reproductive-age women. It is supplemented by hormonal changes and can represent a time of increased risk for the occurrence of mental illness like depression, anxiety and self-harm. Providing good social support for the pregnant mother reduce this risk and prevent pregnancy complication and adverse birth outcome. However, no systematic review and/or meta-analysis has explored the associations between social support and mental illness (depression, anxiety, self-harm) among pregnant women. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the association between social support and mental illness (anxiety, depression, and self-harm) during pregnancy.

The review identified 67 relevant articles with 64,449 pregnant women, from PubMed, Psych Info, MIDIRS, SCOPUS, and CINAHL database. Of the total 67 articles, 22 articles included in the narrative review and 45 articles included in the meta-analysis. Among studies included in the narrative synthesis, a majority of them reported significant positive associations between low social support and antenatal depression, antenatal anxiety and self-harm during pregnancy. Further, the pooled estimates of the meta-analysis show that low social support had a significant positive association with antenatal depression (AOR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.41)) and antenatal anxiety (AOR: 1.97 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.92)). Therefore, maternal health professionals need to have discussions with pregnant women regarding the level and source of social support they receive. Maternal health professionals may also need to consider encouraging the social network of pregnant women to improve social support being given. Policy-makers and those working on maternity care should consider the development of targeted social support programs with a view to helping reduce mental health problems amongst pregnant women.

Antenatal Depression Symptoms Among Pregnant Women Seeking Health Services in Erbil, Iraq

INTRODUCTION

Maternal depression, which includes depression in the prenatal and postpartum periods, is estimated to affect between 10 and 20% of women globally but the rate is higher in the Middle East. Research focused on maternal depression in Iraq is limited to one study focused on postpartum depression. This paper identifies the prevalence and factors associated with antenatal depression among pregnant Iraqi women.

METHODS

Women seeking maternal health services at primary health centers were invited to participate. Data were collected by trained midwifery students in Erbil, Iraq. Responses to the PHQ-2 PRIME-MD depression questions were used to identify depressive symptoms. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze findings.

RESULTS

Of the 179 participants, 86 (48%) reported depressive symptoms. In bivariate analysis, antenatal depression was associated with gestational age (p = 0.03), first prenatal visit in the second trimester (p = 0.003), loss of appetite (p = 0.003), not having help at home (p = 0.03), and use of prenatal vitamins (p = 0.002). Gravida approached significance (p = 0.07). In adjusted analysis, women reporting loss of appetite were more likely to report depressive symptoms (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.47-6.51).

DISCUSSION

Consistent with other research from the region, nearly half the women reported depressive symptoms. Because lack of appetite is associated with depressive symptoms, women reporting loss of appetite should be prioritized for depression screening in time-constrained settings.

The relationship between psychosocial health status and social support of pregnant women

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial health status and social support, which has important effects on pregnancy, and to determine the factors related to both psychosocial health and social support.

METHOD

The research was planned to be a descriptive study. The sample of the study consisted of 393 pregnant women. 'Personal Information Form', 'Pregnancy Psychosocial Health Assessment Scale (PPHAS)', and 'Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)' were used to collect data, and Student's t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests were used for the data analysis. The relationship between the two continuous variables was evaluated according to the Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Psychosocial health conditions and perceived social supports of pregnant women whose spouses were working were determined to be significantly higher (p < .05), and at a lower level (p < .05) in pregnant women with two or more children. As MSPSS total mean scores of the pregnant women increased, their PPHAS total mean scores were weakly affected in the positive direction (r = 0.393, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

It is recommended that health care needs of pregnant women should be evaluated not only in terms of physical health but also together with their psychosocial health and social supports. Furthermore, this assessment should be done in their own home environment with their spouses and other family members.

Changes in Depressive Symptoms During the Antenatal Period: A Cohort Study from Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

Antenatal depressive symptoms adversely affect the health and well-being of women, babies, and their families. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and probable associated factors of depressivse symptoms.

METHODS

A prospective cohort approach was adopted, and 435 pregnant women were assessed longitudinally at an antenatal clinic in the first, second, and third trimesters. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure self-reported depressive symptoms. The multivariate approach of the general linear model was used to evaluate the mean differences of depression scores among the trimesters. To investigate the associated factors of depressive symptoms, generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to take into account the clustering effect.

RESULTS

More than half (58.13%) of the pregnant women had antenatal depressive symptoms in at least one trimester. Depressive symptoms decreased throughout the pregnancy; they were higher in the first trimester and declined toward the third trimester. Significant mean differences were found in depression scores among the three trimesters. GEE showed that trimester, education, family income, and body mass index (BMI) are significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

First trimester is the most critical period for identification of depressive symptoms. At-risk women need to be treated. Proper education achievement, economic solvency, and adequate nutrition could reduce the depressive symptoms.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Antenatal Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women Living in an Urban Area of Thailand

Background

Depression is a major public health problem in middle- and low-income countries. Depression in pregnancy has adverse effects on obstetric outcomes. Maternal depression remains under-recognized, under-diagnosed and undertreated in Thailand. Antenatal screening of depression is an important strategy to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. This problem has rarely been investigated in Thailand, especially in urban areas.

Objective

To discover the prevalence, associated factors, and predictive factors of depression in pregnant women living in an urban area.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study of 402 pregnant women was conducted during antenatal care at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand, from 10 September to 31 November 2019. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that included a demographic profile, obstetric conditions, socio-cultural characteristics, and a Thai language version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms.

Results

Among a total 402 pregnant women, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women in an urban area was 18.9%. Depressive symptoms in pregnant women were significantly associated with divorce (p < 0.001), low family income (p < 0.03), financial insufficiency (p < 0.001), extended family (p < 0.001), history of previous abortion (p = 0.033), history of previous pregnancy complications (p = 0.044), current alcohol use (p = 0.03), current tobacco use (p = 0.009), current substance abuse (p = 0.002), marital conflict (p < 0.001), and family conflict (p < 0.001). The significant factors predicting depression in pregnant women were extended family (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.59–5.51, p=0.001) and marital conflict (AOR 4.7, 95% CI 2.37–9.11, p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women living in an urban area in Thailand was 18.9%. The significant associated factors of depressive symptoms were divorce, low family income, financial insufficiency, extended family, previous abortion, previous pregnancy complications, current alcohol use, current tobacco use, current substance abuse, marital conflict, and family conflict. Extended family and marital conflict were significant predictive factors for antenatal depressive symptoms.

Spiritual Health and Stress in Pregnant Women During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Stress is one of the effective factors in the occurrence of negative effects during pregnancy that can cause adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery and reduced intrauterine growth of the fetus in pregnant women. Therefore, one of the serious concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic is the physical health and mental health of pregnant women. This study aimed to evaluate the physical health status with the spiritual and mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is a descriptive study in 2019-2020 and the samples were randomly selected from all pregnant women who referred to hospitals and private maternity centers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and performed all pregnancy and fetal health tests. It was performed on 560 pregnant female samples. The mental status of pregnant women was assessed using the DASS Spiritual Health and Stress Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (version 24). The results of this study showed that preterm birth, height, weight, and head circumference of babies and lungs and respiratory status of children with mental health and stress levels of pregnant women during the corona are significant compared with the previous of corona (p < 0.05). Increasing stress and decreasing the mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic can increase the influencing factors in preterm delivery and unhealthy birth.

Association of Pregnancy Contexts with Depression and Low Social Support in Early Pregnancy

CONTEXT

Research into the relationship between pregnancy intention and perinatal depression or low social support is limited. Women's perspectives on pregnancy and their associations with perinatal depression could help in developing targeted efforts for screening and intervention.

METHODS

In 2014-2015, 161 women seeking pregnancy testing or abortion care at clinics in New Haven, Connecticut, were surveyed. They were asked about pregnancy context (intentions, planning, wantedness, desirability, timing and happiness), and the Edinburgh Depression Screen (EDS) and the Modified Kendler Social Support Index (MKSSI) were used to identify possible antenatal depression and low social support, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine associations between pregnancy context and these outcomes.

RESULTS

On average, participants were 27 years old and at nine weeks' gestation. One-fifth reported a previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety, and 22% and 33% screened positive for depression (EDS scores of 13 or higher and 10 or higher, respectively); 52% received low social support (MKSSI score of 3.2 or less). Regression analysis found that pregnancies described as unintended, poorly timed or undesired were associated with depression at the higher cutoff (odds ratios, 3.2-4.5); all unfavorable pregnancy measures were associated with depression at the lower cutoff. Ambivalence regarding pregnancy timing, intention, wantedness and desirability was associated with increased odds of depression by either EDS score. Unplanned pregnancies and those about which the woman was ambivalent were associated with low social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the need to screen women for depression early in pregnancy and to integrate assessments of pregnancy context into the evaluation of potential risk factors.

Role of psychotherapy on antenatal depression, anxiety, and maternal quality of life: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety are common psychological manifestations encountered during the antenatal stage of pregnancy. Treatments by pharmacological interventions have been reported to impart negative implications on maternal and fetal health outcomes. Therefore, the use of psychotherapeutic interventions to bypass these side-effects and manage depression, anxiety has received a lot of attention. A meta-statistical consensus regarding the intervention is available, but with several limitations. In this study, we attempt to address these limitations and provide the current state of evidence evaluating the influence of psychotherapy on antenatal depression, anxiety, and maternal quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the effects of psychotherapy on depression, anxiety, and maternal quality of life during the antenatal stage of pregnancy.

METHODS

A systematic identification of literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines on four academic databases: MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and CENTRAL. A meta-analysis evaluated the influence of psychotherapy on depression, anxiety, and maternal quality of life as compared to conventional obstetric care.

RESULTS

Out of 1146 records, 22 articles including 2146 pregnant women (mean age: 28.6 ± 2.8 years) were included in this review. This systematic review presents a 1b level of evidence supporting the use of psychotherapy for reducing depression, anxiety and enhancing maternal quality of life. The meta-analysis reveals the beneficial effects of psychotherapy for reducing depression (Hedge g: -0.48), anxiety (-0.47) and enhancing maternal quality of life (0.19) as compared to conventional obstetric care.

CONCLUSIONS

The current systematic review and meta-analysis recommend the use of psychotherapy as for reducing depression, anxiety and enhancing maternal quality of life during the antenatal stage of pregnancy.

Comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) at early stages of the pregnancy. A multicultural cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

When anxiety and depression are comorbid (CAD), symptoms are more severe and the response to treatments is worse. Given the links between mood disorders and poor perinatal outcomes, CAD and its correlates deserve special clinical attention during pregnancy. The main objective of this study was to learn about the prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression (CAD) in early stages of the pregnancy analyzing the relationship between CAD and cultural and sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

We have studied a multicultural sample of 514 Turkish and Spanish pregnant women (264 in Málaga, 102 in Istambul and 148 in Antalya) recruited at the moment of their first pregnancy medical check-up between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. These women completed a questionnaire that included the Turkish or Spanish validated versions of the Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EDS), the state and trait anxiety scale (STAI) and a series of questions related to health status, general mood, and sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

We found a CAD prevalence rate of 26.9% and a significant higher prevalence rate among Turkish women (47.6%) when compared to Spanish participants (9.5%) (p<0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that the lack of someone who provided emotional support was the variable that best predicted CAD symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The CAD prevalence rate was high and significant differences were found depending on the geographic and cultural context.

Prevalence of Prenatal Depression Among Pregnant Women and the Importance of Resilience: A Multi-Site Questionnaire-Based Survey in Mainland China

BACKGROUND

Prenatal depression is associated with adverse maternal and fetal health consequences, yet it has not raised sufficient concerns in China. Psychological worries and stress may lead to prenatal depression, but resilience could relieve some of the negative effects of worries and stress and mitigate prenatal depression.

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prenatal depression and explore its associated factors.

METHOD

A multisite cross-sectional study was conducted that included 605 pregnant women from three hospitals in two provincial capitals (Shenyang and Zhengzhou) and one municipality (Chongqing). A smartphone questionnaire was employed to assess prenatal depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore factors associated with prenatal depression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of prenatal depression (CES-D≥16) among Chinese pregnant women was 28.4%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that prenatal depression was positively associated with worries about appearance (odds ratio [OR] 1.666, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043-2.661) and perceived stress (OR 1.156, 95% CI 1.104-1.211) and negatively associated with monthly income, relationship with mother (OR 0.287, 95% CI 0.103-0.796), and resilience (OR 0.935, 95% CI 0.918-0.953).

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that Chinese pregnant women suffered from high levels of prenatal depression (28.4%). Worries about appearance and perceived stress were risk factors for prenatal depression, whereas a pregnant woman's harmonious relationship with her own mother and resilience could relieve the negative impacts of pregnancy that can lead to prenatal depression. Improving resilience and maintaining harmonious relationships with mothers should be emphasized in order to reduce the detrimental effects of pregnancy and improve the mental well-being of pregnant women.

Association of social support and antepartum depression among pregnant women

BACKGROUND

Few investigators have evaluated the association between early pregnancy social support and depression; however, increased social support may improve mental health during pregnancy. Our objective is to examine whether in early pregnancy there is an association between social support and maternal depression among women in Peru.

METHODS

2,062 pregnant women participated in structured interviews. Early pregnancy social support was measured using the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ-6). We evaluated the number of individuals that participants could turn to in different situations (Social Support Number Score; SSQN) and their satisfaction with support received (Social Support Satisfaction Score; SSQS). Median SSQN and SSQS characterized participants according to high and low levels of support. SSQN family vs. non-family support were also evaluated separately. Antepartum depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multivariable logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

39.6% of women reported high SSQN and 45.5% reported high SSQS. Approximately 25% had antepartum depression. Women with high SSQN had 22% lower odds of antepartum depression (OR = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.63-0.97). Similarly, women with high SSQS scores had 45% lower odds of antepartum depression (OR = 0.55; 95%CI: 0.45-0.68). Women with high SSQN non-family scores had 30% lower odds antepartum depression compared to those with low SSQN non-family scores (OR = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.57-0.86). The association between SSQN family scores and antepartum depression did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Increased social support may improve maternal mental health during pregnancy and this association should be assessed in longitudinal studies.

Cognitive behavior stress management during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy stress could lead to adverse health outcomes for both mother and child. Few studies have explored the effectiveness of stress management strategy among pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES/AIMS/HYPOTHESES

To examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management for pregnant women.

DESIGN

Randomized Controlled Trial.

METHODS

100 pregnant women (at 6-8 week of pregnancy) were selected by convenience sampling. Participants in the control group (N = 50) received routine prenatal examination and health education, while those in the intervention group (N = 50) received cognitive-behavioral stress management. Pregnancy Pressure Scale was measured at baseline and 39th weeks of pregnancy.

RESULTS

Pregnancy Pressure Scale score increased in both intervention and control groups. However, the score in the intervention group was significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive-behavioral stress managment can effectively reduce pregnant women's stress levels.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Nurses and midwives should conduct cognitive-behavioral stress management to help pregnant women reduce their stress.

Antenatal depression and its association with adverse birth outcomes in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Depression in pregnancy (antenatal depression) in many low and middle-income countries is not well documented and has not been given priority for intervention due to competing urgencies and the belief that it does not immediately cause fatalities, which mainly emanated from lack of comprehensive research on the area. To fill this research gap, this systematic review was conducted to investigate the burden of antenatal depression and its consequences on birth outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods

We systematically searched the databases: CINHAL, MEDLINE, EMCare, PubMed, PSyc Info, Psychiatry online, and Scopus for studies conducted in low and middle-income countries about antenatal depression and its association with adverse birth outcomes. We have included observational studies (case control, cross-sectional and cohort studies), written in English-language, scored in the range of “good quality” on the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS), and were published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017. Studies were excluded if a standardized approach was not used to measure main outcomes, they were conducted on restricted (high risk) populations, or had fair to poor quality score on NOS. We used Higgins and Egger’s to test for heterogeneity and publication bias. Primary estimates were pooled using a random effect meta-analysis. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO with protocol number CRD42017082624.

Result

We included 64 studies (with 44, 035 women) on antenatal depression and nine studies (with 5,540 women) on adverse birth outcomes. Antenatal depression was higher in the lower-income countries (Pooled Prevalence (PP) = 34.0%; 95%CI: 33.1%-34.9%) compared to the middle-income countries (PP = 22.7%, 95%CI: 20.1%-25.2%) and increased over the three trimesters. Pregnant women with a history of economic difficulties, poor marital relationships, common mental disorders, poor social support, bad obstetric history, and exposure to violence were more likely to report antenatal depression. The risk of having preterm birth (2.41; 1.47–3.56) and low birth weight (1.66; 1.06–2.61) was higher in depressed mothers compared to mothers without depression.

Conclusions

Antenatal depression was higher in low-income countries than in middle-income countries and was found to be a risk factor for low birth weight and preterm births. The economic, maternal, and psychosocial risk factors were responsible for the occurrence of antenatal depression. While there could be competing priority agenda to juggle for health policymakers in low-income countries, interventions for antenatal depression should be reprioritized as vitally important in order to prevent the poor maternal and perinatal outcomes identified in this review.

Stress during pregnancy affected neonatal outcomes and changed cortisol and leptin levels both in mothers and newborns

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to determine the effect of perceived stress during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes and cortisol and leptin levels in mothers and their newborns.

METHODS

This longitudinal study was carried out on 110 pregnant women in Miandoab city, Iran. Mothers, who had singleton pregnancies and gestational age of 24 to 28 weeks, were included in the study. The participants were asked to fill out Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The mothers were then tracked in gestational ages of 28-32 weeks, 32-36 weeks, and the time of delivery. The maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were obtained during labor in order to measure leptin and cortisol levels.

RESULTS

Umbilical cortisol level was significantly higher in newborns who had meconium stained amniotic fluid than those who did not. Maternal blood leptin levels at delivery were significantly higher in the mothers whose neonates had respiratory distress, low birth weight, low head circumference, low Apgar score, and were premature than those whose neonates did not have such problems. The level of leptin in umbilical cord blood was significantly higher in neonates who had respiratory distress than those who did not. The results also showed a significant correlation between maternal cortisol levels and PSS during weeks 24-28 and the entire pregnancy. A significant relationship was observed between umbilical leptin and maternal leptin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that stress during pregnancy is accompanied by fetal distress. The probable reason for newborns distress may be related to increased maternal leptin levels.

The relationship between stress during pregnancy with leptin and cortisol blood concentrations and complications of pregnancy in the mother

Objective

Pregnancy is one of the most stressful periods a woman experiences in her life. The present study was an attempt to determine the relationship between maternal stress during pregnancy and cortisol plus maternal serum leptin concentrations as well as pregnancy outcomes.

Material and Methods

This longitudinal study was conducted on 90 pregnant women in Miandoab city between 2015 and 2016. The samples were chosen from mothers with a gestational age of 24 to 28 weeks. The participants were asked to complete Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a demographic questionnaire and blood samples were taken from them. The mothers were then tracked with four-week intervals until the time of delivery and were asked to complete Cohen’s PSS each time along with a questionnaire related to maternal outcomes. Again, a blood sample was taken at the time of delivery. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the t-test were employed for analysis.

Results

A significant relationship was found between maternal stress and preeclampsia (p=0.008). The relationships between preterm childbirth and maternal cortisol concentrations in weeks 24-28 (p=0.015), and between preterm childbirth and maternal leptin concentrations at the time of delivery (p=0.007) were also found to be significant.

Conclusion

Pregnancy and labor, as physically and mentally stressful events, can affect women’s physiologic and psychological indicators. As a consequence, during pregnancy, the cortisol and leptin index changes in response to the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and autonomic nervous system under stress.

Influencing factors for prenatal Stress, anxiety and depression in early pregnancy among women in Chongqing, China

BACKGROUND

Prenatal mental disorders are associated with maternal and fetal adverse outcomes, while few studies have been performed in mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of maternal stress, anxiety and depression in early pregnancy and provide scientific basis for reducing prenatal mental disorders.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 1220 women with < 15 weeks gestation in a cohort study conducted in Chongqing, China. Prenatal stress, anxiety and depression were assessed using the pregnancy pressure scale, the Hamilton anxiety scale, and the self-rating depression scale, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of prenatal stress, anxiety and depression in early pregnancy was 91.86%, 15.04% and 5.19%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors for prenatal stress include housewife/unemployment, presence of anxiety and low- and moderate-level social support, besides, the protective factors were exercise, active smoking and no suggestion from parents. Housewife/unemployment, primiparity, presence of stress and depression and low-level social support were found to be associated with the development of anxiety symptoms, whereas exercise had a protective effect on it. Group-oriented personality, presence of anxiety, no suggestion from husband, low- and moderate-level family care, and low-level social support were risk factors for prenatal depression.

LIMITATIONS

All participants were recruited from one region of China, and none of them have a history of cesarean section.

CONCLUSION

Early screening and intervention may have great significance for reducing mental disorders of pregnant women, and the family and society support should be brought into the intervention as well.

Relations between Stress and Quality of Life among Women in Late Pregnancy: The Parallel Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Quality

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the parallel multiple mediators of depressive symptoms and sleep quality in the relations between stress and physical health-related quality of life (PHQOL)/mental health-related quality of life (MHQOL) among the women in late pregnancy.

METHODS

Of 1120 pregnant women participated in the cross-sectional study which consisted of Perceived Stress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and MOS 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Parallel multiple mediator models were used to analyze the relations between stress, depressive symptoms, sleep quality and PHQOL/MHQOL.

RESULTS

The effect of perceived stress on PHQOL was partially through the indirect path of sleep quality (β=-0.061). But in the model for MHQOL, depressive symptoms and sleep quality played parallel mediators, and the indirect path effect of depressive symptoms (β=-0.179) was higher than sleep quality (β=-0.029).

CONCLUSION

The findings contributed to the understanding about the influential mechanism of stress on PHQOL/MHQOL. And it reminded the importance of sleep quality and depressive symptoms for improving QOL in late pregnancy.

Correlates for state and trait anxiety in a multicultural sample of Turkish and Spanish women at first trimester of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this research was to assess the potential influence of cultural factors on the anxiety levels of a multicultural sample of Spanish and Turkish pregnant women at the beginning of the pregnancy.

METHODS

Between October and December 2017 a total of 250 Turkish and 264 Spanish pregnant women attending their first pregnancy medical check-up between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy in three different cities, Istanbul, Antalya and Malaga, were recruited for study. These women completed a questionnaire that included the Turkish or Spanish validated of the state-trait anxiety Inventory, and a series of questions related to health status, general mood, and sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

The mean value for State Anxiety was 47.1 [16-56] (SD 4.2), and mild, moderate and severe State Anxiety was observed in 56.8%, 14.7% and 20.5% of participants, respectively. Mean value for trait anxiety was 46.9 [34-89] (SD 4.6) and 31.4%, 19.7% and 20.2% of participants scored for mild, moderate and severe anxiety respectively. Anxiety scores were significantly higher among Turkish women. In the whole sample, religion, working status, pregnancy planning and perceived partner´s support predicted anxiety at first trimester of pregnancy. Social support and educational level were the most important predictive variables in the Spanish subgroup, while religion, the number of living children and the lack of husband´s support were among Turkish pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm the existence of a high prevalence of women´s anxiety at the beginning of the pregnancy and some differences between Turkish and Spanish pregnant women have been observed. We have confirmed that some cultural features like family structure (having more children and cohabitants), the Islamic religion or the lack of perceived partner´s support became the most important vulnerability elements.

Depression among pregnant women and associated factors in Hawassa city, Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder during pregnancy. It is not only common and chronic among women throughout the world but also principal source of disability in pregnant women. The scarce information and limited attention to the problem might aggravate the consequence of the problem and can limit the intervention to be taken. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among pregnant women in public health institutions, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Institution based cross sectional study was conducted in May to July 2017. Pregnant women were selected by using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews on socio-demographic, obstetric, psychosocial characteristics and depressive symptoms. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Oslo Social Support Scale (OSS-3) were used to asses' depressive symptoms and social support respectively. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents was 23.82 ± (SD = 6.65) years. The prevalence of antenatal depression was 21.5%. When we adjusted for the effect of potential confounding variables, being in age group of 20-30 years [AOR = 5.85 (95% CI: (3.70, 10.14)], current pregnancy complication [AOR = 4.98 (95% CI: (3.01, 10.37)], unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 7.12, (95% CI: (3.12, 9.63)], categories of stressors (LTE) Health risk [AOR = 1.76, (95% CI: (1.01, 3.22)], previous history of depression [AOR = 2.76 (95% CI: (1.94, 6.75)], history of abortion [AOR = 1.52, (95% CI:1.04, 5.09)], history of still birth [AOR = 1.18, (95% CI: 1.08, 2.91)], poor social support [AOR = 2.14, (95% CI: 1.49, 3.11)] and poor baby father support [AOR = 3.21 (95% CI:1.93, 6.71)] were significantly associated with antenatal depression.

CONCLUSION

For early detection and appropriate intervention, antenatal clinics should develop screening tools for depression during the routine antenatal care.

Cultural factors influencing antenatal depression: A cross-sectional study in a cohort of Turkish and Spanish women at the beginning of the pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Depression is the most frequent mental disorder during pregnancy, and its prevalence is at least as high as that of postnatal depression. Differences between Western and Eastern countries may exist according to cultural and educational factors.

OBJECTIVE

to determine the influence of social and cultural factors on the mood state of a multicultural sample of 514 Turkish and Spanish pregnant women at the beginning of the pregnancy.

METHODS

Between October and December 2017 250 Turkish and 264 Spanish pregnant women attending their first pregnancy medical check-up between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy were recruited (264 in Málaga, 102 in Istanbul and 148 in Antalya). These women completed a questionnaire that included the Turkish or Spanish validated versions of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EDS) and a series of questions related to health status, general mood, and sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

Turkish women scored significantly higher with a mean value of 12.1 (SD 4.2) against 7.6 (SD 4.3) of Spanish women. Coping strategies and matters of women´s concern were also different. A total of 9.1% of Spanish and 30% of Turkish scored over cut-off point of 13. We found differences in EDS scores regarding the type of work, working status, and educational level. Family structure and perceived support were identified as specific risk factors for antenatal depression (AD). The multivariate regression model showed that best predictor variables for EDS score in the global sample were the country of recruitment, the number of living children, the pregnancy planning and the perceived partner´s support.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm the existence of important differences in AD prevalence between Turkish (30.0%) and Spanish (9.9%) pregnant women. Some sociocultural features like having more children, unplanned pregnancies, or perceiving poor support from the partner, become important vulnerability factors.

Life events and depressive symptoms among pregnant women in India: Moderating role of resilience and social support

BACKGROUND

Recent life events may be significant risk factors for depression during pregnancy. However, its association with the individual's resilience and social support is not clear.

AIMS

To understand the association between life events and depression during pregnancy and whether the association is moderated by resilience and social support.

METHODS

This study is part of a prospective cohort study on perinatal mental health in an urban antenatal clinic, which included 589 women recruited in the first and early second trimester. Participants were administered the Life Events Checklist adapted from the Social Readjustment Rating Scale by the authors to assess life events; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 to assess depression and resilience, respectively. The relationship between life events (12 months prior to the time of assessment) and antenatal depression and the moderating role of resilience and social support was analysed.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight women (6.5%) who had depression (EPDS score ⩾ 11) had significantly higher number of life events (i.e. on average three; U = 3,826; p < .01), lower resilience scores ( U = 4,053; p < .01) and lower perceived social support ( U = 2,423; p < .01) as compared to those who were negative for depression on EPDS. Life events predicted depression during pregnancy; however, the relationship was moderated by social support but not by resilience.

CONCLUSION

The pregnant women who experienced life events may experience depression during the first trimester of pregnancy, but the effect could possibly be reduced by enhancing the social support.

Prospective associations between recalled parental bonding and perinatal depression: a cohort study in urban and rural Turkey

PURPOSE

Recalled experiences of parental bonding may be important in the aetiology of perinatal depression. We hypothesized that lower recalled parental bonding would be associated with perinatal depression.

METHOD

In a cohort study of perinatal depression in Turkey, 677 women were recruited in their third trimester. Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI) scores at baseline were investigated as predictors of depression on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 4, 14 and 21 months after childbirth in mothers without depression at baseline.

RESULTS

Poor parental bonding scores, apart from paternal control and overprotection, were independently associated with antenatal depression. Incident postnatal depression at 4 months was predicted by parental overprotection, at 14 months by parental care and overprotection, and at 21 months by paternal control and overprotection.

CONCLUSIONS

Less satisfactory parenting recalled in the antenatal period was an independent predictor of postnatal depression; however, the different bonding subscales varied as predictors according to the timing of the depression assessment after childbirth.

Associations between social capital and maternal depression: results from a follow-up study in China

Background

This study aims to investigate the association between social capital (SC) and depressive symptoms among Chinese primiparas at different time-points from their late pregnancy to postpartum.

Methods

A total of 450 primiparas were recruited for the current study. The assessments were conducted at three different time-points: T1 – while the participants were recruited at their 30–36 weeks of pregnancy in the antenatal clinic in the maternity hospital in Zhejiang, China; T2 – at their 2nd or 3rd days in the wards after delivery; T3 – at week 6 to 8 after the delivery in the postpartum examination clinic. SC was measured by the 29-item SC scale; while depressive symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The relationships between SC and depressive symptoms were explored separately at each of the three time-points.

Results

The prevalence of depression among the primiparas was 25% at T1, 13.5% at T2 and 20.8% at T3, respectively. However, the score of SC and its components at three time-points followed an opposite ‘V’ direction, with the highest score at T2, following by T3 and T1. At T1, the analysis suggested that depressive symptoms among the primiparas were negatively correlated with their social trust and social network levels. At T2, only social trust was negatively associated with depression. While at T3, it is social trust and social participations that were significantly negatively associated with depression.

Conclusions

SC was associated with depression at all three time-points during and after pregnancy. More attention should be given to SC in the maternal health promotion programs of community pregnancy health care management.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-1673-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Social capital and antenatal depression among Chinese primiparas: A cross-sectional survey

The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between social capital and antenatal depression among Chinese primiparas. A cross-sectional design was used and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 1471 participants using the intercept method at the provincial hospital in Zhejiang in 2016. Antenatal depression was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and social capital was assessed by the Chinese version of Social Capital Assessment Questionnaire (C-SCAQ). The prevalence of antenatal depression was assessed among Chinese primiparas in their third trimesters. The antenatal depression prevalence among sub-groups with lower social trust (ST), social reciprocity (SR), social network (SN), and social participation (SP) were significantly higher than those among higher score sub-groups. In the fully adjusted model, primiparas' antenatal depression was significantly associated with ST, SR, SN, and SP. Compared to the structural social capital, the cognitive social capital was a more crucial dimension to the prevalence of antenatal depression. For future community pregnancy health care management programs in China, it might be beneficial to add more social capital related intervention.

Gender preference and perinatal depression in Turkey: A cohort study

Background

Child gender preference is important in some cultures and has been found to modify risk for antenatal and postnatal depression. We investigated discrepancies in the child gender preference between participating women and other key family members and the extent to which these predicted perinatal depression.

Methods

In a large cohort study of perinatal depression in urban and rural Turkey, participants had been asked about child gender preferences: their own, and those of their husband, parents, and parents in-law. Of 730 participants recruited in their third trimester (94.6% participation), 578 (79.2%) were reassessed at a mean (SD) 4.1 (3.3) months after childbirth, and 488 (66.8%) were reassessed at 13.7 (2.9) months.

Results

No associations were found between any gender preference reported in the antenatal period and depression at any examination. On the other hand, we found associations of antenatal depression with differences in participant-reported gender preference and that reported for their mother-in-law (OR 1.81, 1.08–3.04). This non-agreement also predicted depression at the 4 month (OR 2.24, 1.24–4.03) and 14 month (OR 2.07, 1.05–4.04) post-natal examinations. These associations with postnatal depression persisted after adjustment for a range of covariates (ORs 3.19 (1.54–6.59) and 3.30 (1.49–7.33) respectively).

Conclusions

Reported disagreement in child gender preferences between a woman and her mother-in-law was a predictor of post-natal depression and may reflect wider family disharmony as an underlying factor.

Antenatal depressive symptoms as a predictor of deterioration in perceived social support across the perinatal period: a four-wave cohort study in Turkey

BACKGROUND

In a perinatal cohort of women in urban and rural Turkey, we investigated associations between antenatal depressive symptoms and subsequent changes in perceived quality of key family relationships.

METHOD

Of 730 women recruited in their third trimester (94.6% participation), 578 (79.2%) were reassessed at a mean of 4.1 (s.d. = 3.3) months after childbirth, 488 (66.8%) were reassessed at 13.7 (s.d. = 2.9) months, and 448 (61.4%) at 20.8 (s.d. = 2.7) months. At all four examinations, self-reported quality of relationship with the husband, mother and mother-in-law was ascertained using the Close Persons Questionnaire with respect to emotional support, practical support and negative aspects of the relationship. Antenatal depressive symptoms were defined using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A range of covariates in mixed models was considered including age, education, number of children, family structure, physical health, past emotional problems and stressful life events.

RESULTS

Key findings were as follows: (i) reported emotional and practical support from all three relationships declined over time in the cohort overall; (ii) reported emotional support from the husband, and emotional and practical support from the mother-in-law, declined more strongly in women with antenatal depressive symptoms; (iii) associations between depressive symptoms and worsening spouse relationship were more pronounced in traditional compared with nuclear families.

CONCLUSIONS

Antenatal depressive symptoms predicted marked decline in the quality of key relationships over the postnatal period. This may account for some of the contemporaneous associations between depression and worse social support, and may compound the risk of perinatal depression in subsequent pregnancies.

Epidemiology of maternal depression, risk factors, and child outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries

Maternal depression, a non-psychotic depressive episode of mild to major severity, is one of the major contributors of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. Maternal depression (antepartum or post partum) has been linked to negative health-related behaviours and adverse outcomes, including psychological and developmental disturbances in infants, children, and adolescents. Despite its enormous burden, maternal depression in low-income and middle-income countries remains under-recognised and undertreated. In this Series paper, we systematically review studies that focus on the epidemiology of perinatal depression (ie, during antepartum and post-partum periods) among women residing in low-income and middle-income countries. We also summarise evidence for the association of perinatal depression with infant and childhood outcomes. This review is intended to summarise findings from the existing literature, identify important knowledge gaps, and set the research agenda for creating new generalisable knowledge pertinent to increasing our understanding of the prevalence, determinants, and infant and childhood health outcomes associated with perinatal depression. This review is also intended to set the stage for subsequent work aimed at reinforcing and accelerating investments toward providing services to manage maternal depression in low-income and middle-income countries.

Determinants of Antenatal Psychological Distress in Pakistani Women

INTRODUCTION

An increasing number of evidence has demonstrated that poor antenatal psychological health can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Studies conducted in various countries demonstrated a wide range of factors associated with psychological distress during pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2011 and December 2012 in Peshawar, north-west Pakistan. A total of 230 women in their third trimester of pregnancy fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The antenatal psychological health status of women was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Relevant data regarding health and demographic-socioeconomic status were collected through personal interviews using standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Overall, 45% (n=104) of women exhibited symptoms for composite depression, anxiety, and stress (composite DAS). In the univariate analysis, maternal age, husband support, monthly income, family size, stressful life events, lack of confidence, domestic violence, and pregnancy-related concerns were strongly associated with antenatal composite DAS (p<0.01). The association of maternal composite DAS symptoms with age, monthly income, family size, and lack of confidence remained significant in the multivariate analysis (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

A major proportion of women exhibited symptoms of antenatal composite DAS, and various factors were found to be related to their psychological distress. A young maternal age, low husband support, low income, large family size, adverse life events, lack of confidence, pregnancy-related concerns, and domestic violence were stronger determinants of poor antenatal psychological status. The study findings concluded that policymakers at the government level should launch special intervention programs to improve maternal perinatal mental and psychological health at the community level.

Antenatal depression in coastal South India: Prevalence and risk factors in the community

BACKGROUND

Antenatal depression is a highly prevalent disorder with serious implications on maternal and child outcomes. There are few studies examining this in low-middle-income community settings.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence of antenatal depression in women from a coastal rural background in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and to determine its associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional community-based study, in 202 antenatal women, standard interview and diagnostic criteria (Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R)) were employed for identifying depression and examining a wide range of putative clinical and sociocultural risk factors including domestic violence.

RESULTS

There was a 16.3% prevalence of depression among the 202 women sampled. The possible risk factors after stepwise backward regression were pressure to have a male child, 11.48 (2.36-55.78); financial difficulties, 8.23 (2.49-27.22); non-arranged marriage, 6.05 (1.72-21.23); history of miscarriage-still birth, 5.77 (1.55-21.43) and marital conflict, 9.55 (2.34-38.98).

CONCLUSION

There is a need to develop strategies for recognition and appropriate intervention for antenatal depression, in the context of locally relevant risk factors, so as to improve both maternal and child outcomes.

Prevalence of antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Background

The World Health Organization identifies depressive disorders as the second leading cause of global disease burden by 2020. However, there is a paucity of studies which examined the associated factors of antenatal depression in low-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was employed among 393 pregnant women attending antenatal care service in Addis Ababa public health centers, Ethiopia from April 12–26, 2012. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to detect depressive symptoms. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis.

Results

Prevalence of antenatal depression was 24.94 % (95 % CI: 20.85–29.30 %). In the final multivariable model, those pregnant women who have previous history of depression were nearly three times at higher odds of having antenatal depression as compared to pregnant women who have no history of depression [AOR = 2.57(95 % CI: 1.48–4.48 )]. Those pregnant women having unplanned pregnancy were nearly three times at higher odds to develop depression as compared to pregnant women whose pregnancy was planned [AOR = 2.78(95 % CI: 1.59–4.85)]. The odd of developing antenatal depression was 89 % higher in those pregnant women who experienced lack of baby’s father support [AOR = 1.89(95 % CI: 1.06–3.36)]. Education level, community’s support, and partner’s feeling on current pregnancy were not significantly associated factors with antenatal depression in the final multivariable model.

Conclusion

Although clinical confirmation for antenatal depression is not conducted, one quarter of the pregnant women attending antenatal care were depressed in Addis Ababa based on EPDS. Unplanned pregnancy, experiencing lack of baby’s father support and previous history of depression were factors independently associated with antenatal depression. Promotion of family planning and integration of mental health service with existing maternal health care as well as strengthening the referral system among public health centers were the recalled interventions to prevent antenatal depression in Addis Ababa Public Health Centers.

The risk factors, consequences, treatment, and importance of gestational depression

Nowadays, mental problems have become an important health issue, the most frequent of which in pregnancy is depression. Gestational depression is known to increase gestational complications and negatively affect maternal and fetal health. The frequency of gestational depression and depressive symptoms are 10-30%. Risk factors vary according to genetic, psychologic, environmental, social, and biologic factors. Maternal morbidity and mortality rates increase in pregnant women who do not receive treatment, obstetric complications and negative fetal consequences are seen, and the incidence of postpartum depression increases. Due to all these important consequences, healthcare providers who manage pregnant women should be informed about the frequency, symptoms, and screening methods of postpartum depression, the significance of the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated depression on the health of mother and baby, and the importance of early diagnosis. Pregnant women who are at risk should be screened and detected, and directed to related centers. In this review, we briefly review the definition of gestational depression, its frequency, risk factors, complications, screening, treatments, and the procedures that need to be performed the diagnostic process.

Male involvement and maternal health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The developing world accounts for 99% of global maternal deaths. Men in developing countries are the chief decision-makers, determining women's access to maternal health services and influencing their health outcomes. At present, it is unclear whether involving men in maternal health can improve maternal outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of male involvement on maternal health outcomes of women in developing countries.

METHODS

Four electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched (up to May 2013), together with reference lists of included studies. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed the quality of studies based on prespecified criteria. Measures of effects were pooled and random effect meta-analysis was conducted, where possible.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Male involvement was significantly associated with reduced odds of postpartum depression (OR=0.36, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.68 for male involvement during pregnancy; OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.62 for male involvement post partum), and also with improved utilisation of maternal health services (skilled birth attendance and postnatal care). Male involvement during pregnancy and at post partum appeared to have greater benefits than male involvement during delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Male involvement is associated with improved maternal health outcomes in developing countries. Contrary to reports from developed countries, there was little evidence of positive impacts of husbands' presence in delivery rooms. However, more rigorous studies are needed to improve this area's evidence base.

Social support and the incidence and persistence of depression between antenatal and postnatal examinations in Turkey: a cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to measure incidence and persistence of depression and to investigate the influence of self-reported antenatal social support and traditional/nuclear family structure on incidence and persistence of depression between the third trimester of pregnancy and following childbirth. We hypothesised that lower antenatal social support would be associated with incidence and persistence of case-level depressive symptoms and the family structure would have an effect on the incidence and persistence of depressive symptoms.

SETTINGS

The cohort study described here was carried out in and around Ankara the capital of Turkey, because of the considerable heterogeneity of the population in terms of traditional Middle Eastern and 'modern' Western lifestyle and social environment. Samples were drawn from 20 urban and rural antenatal clinics (mainly primary care settings) within the geographic catchment.

PARTICIPANTS

Of 730 women recruited in their third trimester, 578 (79.2%) were re-examined between 2 and 6 months after childbirth. Exclusion criteria were as follows: aged younger than 18 years, illiteracy, significant health problems and refusal to participate.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Close Persons Questionnaire items enquired about relationships with the husband, mother and mother-in-law and depression was ascertained using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at the each assessments.

RESULTS

In those followed, onset of postnatal depression occurred in 13.9% and persistence of antenatal depression in 49.7%. After adjustment, worse emotional support from the mother-in-law was significantly associated with postnatal depression incidence (OR=0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99) and worse emotional support from the husband with postnatal persistence (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.96) of antenatal depression. Family structure was not a risk or modifying factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and persistence of postnatal depression in this Middle Eastern cohort were comparable to international findings. Certain family relationships predicted incidence and persistence of postnatal depression but no role of traditional/nuclear family structure was found.

The psychosocial functioning of mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in the north of Jordan

The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of admission of infants to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the psychosocial functioning of their mothers. The secondary aim was to compare the psychosocial functioning of the mothers of infants admitted to NICU and the mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU. A total of 75 consecutive mothers of infants admitted to NICU and 75 consecutive mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU were included in the study. Mothers completed State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in three large hospitals in Irbid, Jordan in the period between November 2010 and June 2011. The results showed that mechanical ventilation, lower birth weight and lower gestation age were predictors of higher anxiety level and depression among mothers of infants admitted to NICU. Both groups (mothers of infants admitted to NICU and mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU) scored high in Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.