Antenatal depression and male gender preference in Asian women in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
to identify the prevalence of antenatal depression among Asian women living in the UK in one antenatal clinic, and to investigate the possible association with a desire for a male child and other risk factors.


METHODS
cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.


METHODS
general antenatal clinic in a hospital in Birmingham.


METHODS
300 Asian women, irrespective of place of birth.


METHODS
consecutive Asian women attending routine antenatal appointments during the study period self-completed a questionnaire. The first part investigated socio-demographic, cultural and other possible risk factors, including gender preference. The second part comprised the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).


METHODS
EPDS score greater than or equal to 12 indicating probable depression.


RESULTS
the prevalence of depression was 30.7% (92/300, 95% confidence interval 25.4-35.9%). Maternal male gender preference was not common and was not associated with antenatal depression. Family male gender preference, unplanned pregnancy, a history of depression and feeling anxious in pregnancy were independently associated with an increased likelihood of depression, whilst support from family and friends, being satisfied with pregnancy and being multiparous were associated with a reduced likelihood of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
rates of antenatal depression were very high in Asian women with some associated risk factors. However, male gender preference was not associated with antenatal depression.


CONCLUSIONS
given the high prevalence, screening Asian women for depression may be indicated to allow treatment.
Dhillon
Navpreet
N
Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. navpreet.dhillon@hotmail.co.uk
Macarthur
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D004739:England; D005191:Family Characteristics / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D010298:Parity; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012723:Sex; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires