title: Suicidality in early pregnancy among antepartum mothers in urban India.
abstract: This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of suicidality among 462 pregnant women in South India. Women in early pregnancy (<20 weeks) attending an urban public hospital antenatal center were assessed for suicidality using a modified version of the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQR) and a single-item (item 10) from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Severity of depressive symptoms, family violence, and perceived social support were also measured. The prevalence of suicidality in pregnancy was 7.6 % (35/462). Eleven women (2.4 %) reported having had suicidal plans, and 8 (1.7 %) had made a suicidal attempt during the current pregnancy. Younger age, belonging to a middle socioeconomic status, poor perceived support, domestic violence, depressive symptoms, and having a past history of suicidality predicted suicidal ideation during the current pregnancy. Multivariate analysis revealed depression severity and a life time history of suicidal ideation as being the strongest predictors. The findings underscore the need for assessment of psychiatric and psychosocial factors that confer risk among women in this vulnerable period. The results of the study however may be specific to low-income urban women from this geographical location limiting the external validity of our findings.
authors: Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Supraja
authors: Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Thennarasu
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: Veena A
authors: VA
authors: Satyanarayana
authors: Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Seena
authors: Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India.
authors: Geetha
authors: G
authors: Desai
authors: Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India.
authors: Kavita V
authors: KV
authors: Jangam
authors: Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. chandra@nimhans.ac.in.
authors: Prabha S
authors: PS
authors: Chandra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011584:Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: Domestic violence; India; Pregnancy; Suicide; Women