[Puerperal depression. Related factors].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of postnatal depression in puerperal women in the city of Albacete and to analyse its association with social and demographic factors, morbidity and social and affective support.


METHODS
An observational crossover study with a home interview.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
304 women who gave birth at Albacete General Hospital between May and November 1995.


RESULTS
The presence of possible depression between the sixth and eighth weeks after giving birth was measured with a self-administered test, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), on which scores of 13 or more are considered to signal depression. 15.8% (C.I. 11.8%-19.8%) of the women surveyed suffered a probable depressive disorder according to the EPDS. A significant association was found between puerperal depression and history of depression before pregnancy (p = 0.00001), during pregnancy (p = 0.00005) and immediately after delivery (p = 0.00001). Puerperal depression was also associated with stated chronic illness (p = 0.0003), scant help with domestic tasks (p = 0.003) and low family affective support (p = 0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
Between 11.8% and 19.8% of women between the sixth and eighth week of the puerperal period display a probable depression, which is linked to depression immediately after delivery. This disorder needs to be detected during the puerperal visit.
Machado Ramírez
F
F
Unidad Docente de Matronas, Hospital General y Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de Albacete.
García Serrano
T
T
Moya Rüegg
N
N
Bernabeu Sáez
N
N
Cerdá Díaz
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors