Depression, anxiety and influencing factors in pregnancy: a study in a Turkish population.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the prevalence of depression in pregnancy and the factors that influence the development of depression and anxiety in pregnancy in a Turkish population.


METHODS
a descriptive, correlational study.


METHODS
a public hospital in Ankara Province Centre, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
1,039 pregnant women selected using a convenience sampling method.


RESULTS
27.9% (n=290) of the 1,039 women were found to be experiencing depression at a level requiring treatment. In a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis model developed for depression and anxiety, the following were found to be statistically significant factors influencing the experience of both depression and anxiety: perceived social support; recent experience of marital or emotional problems during and before this pregnancy; recent experience of life stress; having a negative self-perception; experience of physical violence; and experience of physical problems during pregnancy. Statistically significant factors influencing depression were marital dissatisfaction, being a housewife, having an unwanted pregnancy, and having a formal marriage. The correlation between total anxiety and depression scores was at a medium level (Pearson correlation=0.592).


CONCLUSIONS
many factors influenced the development of depression and anxiety in pregnancy, and a positive correlation was found between depression and anxiety. Midwives and nurses can evaluate pregnant women for these risk factors, and arrange for additional follow-up. They can also offer preventive care and, when necessary, assist with early diagnosis and treatment to improve the health of mothers and babies.
Karaçam
Zekiye
Z
Adnan Menderes University, Aydin School of Health, Aydin Sağlik Yüksekokulu Aydin, Aydin, Turkey.
Ançel
Gülsüm
G
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054541:Family Conflict; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology