Antepartum and postpartum depression in a primary health care center area

Uz.Dr.M. Esin Ocaktan Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Münzeviler sok. No:1 Akdere-Ankara, Turkey Phone : +90 (312) 363 89 90/133 E-mail adress : [email protected] Received: 06.07.2006 • Accepted: 11.12.2006 Depression is among the important reasons for disease related disabilities and more prevalent in women.Higher rates of depression in women is related to reproductive period (puberty, pregnancy, postpartum period and menopause) and the joint effects of biological and environmental provoking experiences (1,2). Most studies on women had focused on postpartum period and pointed out that in this period women are highly vulnerable to depression. Depression rates increase in the first year after delivery (3,4). Prevalence of postpartum depresAim: The aim of this community based study was to follow depression scores of pregnant women after delivery and to determine factors associated with depressive mood in a primary health care center area. Material and Method: In this study, all pregnant women (n=66) living in Park Health Center Region in Ankara, completed a questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) once in pregnancy and twice in postpartum period at 2nd week and 6th month. EPDS scores above cut off point (≥13) indicated possible depressive mood. Results: Mean EPDS score in pregnancy was higher than both postpartum measurements (p=0.054, p=0.003 respectively). Number of women with EPDS scores above cut-off declined in time as follows: 31.8% during pregnancy, 22.7% at postpartum 2nd week, 19.7% at postpartum 6th month. Associated factors with postpartum depressive mood were type of delivery and working status (p<0.05). Discussion: This study points out that women are at risk for depressive disorders not only in postpartum period but also in pregnancy. Healthcare providers should consider possibility of depression in pregnant women.