Depressive symptoms in a sample of women following perinatal loss.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to identify variables associated with depressive symptoms among women shortly after perinatal loss.


METHODS
Respondents who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed, and sociodemographic data were obtained from them. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) were thereafter administered on each respondent.


RESULTS
Respondents with perinatal loss had high rate of depressive symptoms (52% on EDPS), the rate was significantly higher, when compared with the control group (chi2 = 10.16, P=0.001). Factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms included previous perinatal losses, poor support from husband and occurrence of antenatal complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive reaction following perinatal loss is very common. Programs need to be designed to help these women cope with their loss and to reduce subsequent psychological morbidity.
Adeyemi
Adebanjo
A
Department of Obstetrics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-lfe, Nigeria.
Mosaku
Kolawole
K
Ajenifuja
Olusegun
O
Fatoye
Femi
F
Makinde
Niyi
N
Ola
Bolanle
B
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000523:psychology*