title: Estimated prevalence of antenatal depression in the US population.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of minor and major depression among pregnant women in the USA. Also, we compare prevalence of depression among pregnant and non-pregnant women while controlling for relevant covariates. A population-representative sample of pregnant women (n = 3010) surveyed for the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was compared to a sample of women who were not pregnant (n = 68,620). Binary logistic regression was used to determine prevalence ratios of depression for pregnant and non-pregnant women while controlling for the effects of age, race, annual income, employment status, educational level, marital status, general health, and availability of emotional support. Depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). The prevalence of major depression was no greater among pregnant women (6.1%) compared to non-pregnant women (7%; adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) .8 and 1.5). The prevalence of minor depression was greater among pregnant women (16.6%) compared to non-pregnant women (11.4%; adjusted PR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 and 1.9). Prevalence ratios are adjusted for the effects of covariates noted above. Prevalence of major depression is not associated with pregnancy, but minor depression is more likely among women who are pregnant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Now at University of Denver, 2155 S. Race St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
authors.forename: June M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Bridgette D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Clarissa J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Arms-Chavez
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA. slobello@aum.edu.
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: LoBello
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017533:Marital Status; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Antenatal; BRFSS; Depression; Mental health; PHQ-8; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Risk factors; Women