ANTENATAL DEPRESSION: PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN PESHAWAR
Keywords:
Risk factors, Depression, PregnancyAbstract
Objective: Antenatal depression (AD) is predictive of future mental distress, which has negative effects on children.
We aimed to assess the prevalence of, and to identify the non hormonal risk factors associated with depression
among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Peshawar Pakistan.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 300 pregnant women were administered a private
interview while waiting for their prenatal care visits in Gynae/Obs unit Hayatabad Medical Complex, (HMC) hospital
Peshawar. The interview contained the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess
depressive symptoms followed by a structured questionnaire that was filled through personnel interview.
Result: Out of 300 antenatal women 240 (80%) women scored >15 on the CES-D scale indicating AD. Illiteracy,
unemployment, low income level, extended family, adverse pregnancy outcome, and fear of childbirth were identified
as significant risk factor for development of AD.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of antenatal depression supports a policy of routine screening for antenatal
depression. Open discussion about AD may help reduce the stigma associated with depression and encourage
women to seek help. Many of the predictors, such as fear of childbirth and adverse pregnancy outcome, are
modifiable through awareness and counseling
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