Depression during pregnancy in the Brazilian public health care system.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of depression and correlate clinical and demographic characteristics in pregnant women assisted by the public health system in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study focused on pregnant women assisted by the public health service. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for depression.


RESULTS
In a sample of 1,264 pregnant women aged 12-46 years, 21.1% (n = 255) presented a depressive episode during pregnancy. The presence of depression was associated with older age, lower education, lack of a cohabiting partner, not being primiparous, planned pregnancy, abortion thoughts, psychological or psychiatric treatment, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and stressful events.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnant women assisted by the Brazilian public health system presented a high prevalence of depression. Psychiatric history, lack of support, and stressful events increase the probability of antenatal depression.
Silva
Ricardo Azevedo da
RA
Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Jansen
Karen
K
Souza
Luciano Dias de Mattos
LD
Moraes
Inácia Gomes da Silva
IG
Tomasi
Elaine
E
Silva
Giovanna Del Grande da
Gdel G
Dias
Michelle de Souza
Mde S
Pinheiro
Ricardo Tavares
RT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009313:National Health Programs; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires