A Prospective Study of the Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Depression in Pregnancy

Objective Poor sleep and depression are common problems during pregnancy, but there has been little investigation into the association between them. This prospective study aims to examine the relationship between sleep quality and depression during pregnancy. Methods Pregnant women under 14 weeks’ gestation attending routine outpatient antenatal care in Singapore’s largest maternity hospital were recruited between 2012 and 2014. Women with multiple pregnancies and deemed at high risk of miscarriage were excluded. Six hundred and forty participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the three trimesters during pregnancy. Results Mean PSQI score was highest in the third visit, suggesting poorer quality sleep in the late third trimester compared to other trimesters. 15.6% of participants at each time point fulfilled the criteria for antenatal depression according to the EPDS cut-off score > 14. PSQI scores were significantly correlated with EPDS scores, and also prospectively predicted EPDS scores in all three trimesters. Conclusion Sleep quality in Singaporean pregnant women was poorest in the third trimester, and was associated with the development of depressive symptoms. With more than 1 in 10 women having antenatal depression, interventions targeting sleep quality might be particularly beneficial.

The sustained adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among pregnant women in Sri Lanka: a reassessment during the second wave

Objective To study the change in trend of antenatal mental health and associated factors among a cohort of pregnant women during the second wave of COVID-19 using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Previous study using the same scale, during the first wave reported a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression. Results A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the two large maternity hospitals in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Castle Street Hospital for Women (CSHW) and De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW). Consecutively recruited 311 women were studied. Out of which, 272 (87.5%) were having uncomplicated pregnancies at the time of the survey and 106 (34.1%) were either anxious, depressed, or both. Prevalence of anxiety was 17.0% and depression 27.0%. Overall, continuing COVID-19 pandemic increased antenatal anxiety and depression. The trend was to aggravate depression more intensively compared to anxiety in this cohort of women studied. Special support is needed for pregnant mothers during infectious epidemics taking more attention to antenatal depression.

Predictors of Antenatal Depression in Pregnant Couples

Pregnant women and their partners are at an increased risk of antenatal depression. Therefore, this cross-sectional study of data from 116 couples investigated predictors of maternal and paternal antenatal depression using sociodemographic data, women’s risk factors for depression during the antenatal period, women’s perceived stress, and antenatal depression in the other partner. Pregnant women had higher depression scores (7.4 ± 4.7) and a higher frequency of being at high risk for depression (25.9%) than their spouses (4.6 ± 3.5, 9.5%). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the statistically significant predictors of antenatal depression in pregnant women were perceived stress (β = .45, p < .001) and antenatal depression risk factors (β = .30, p = .002) and in spouses, women’s antenatal depression risk factors (β = .29, p = .013). The present findings suggest that nurses should intervene to mitigate the risk of maternal antenatal depression and perceived stress to prevent depression in pregnant couples.

Predictors of Antenatal Depression in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Antenatal depression is very common in pregnant women all over the world. Women in the developing and poor countries are more at risk. Several risk factors have been identified and some of them may lead to unbearable pregnancy situations, that pose a threat to mother and the baby. If pregnancy must be made pleasurable for mothers, then the risk factors which predict depression in pregnancy must be identified and considered in antenatal care. Objective: To identify risk factors which are predictors to antenatal depression in pregnant women. Methods: Within the months of January and February 2021, all the pregnant women who registered for antenatal care in the teaching hospital, who met the study inclusion criteria were assessed for depression using the English version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EPDS) and a study designed risk factor questionnaire, which contained socio-demographic variables and other factors. Data obtained were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Variables were compared using chi squared and t-tests and p values < 0. 05 were statistically significant. Results: Five hundred (500) respondents completed the study, 158 (31.6%) were depressed. Risk factors of co-habiting, threats to life, and/or pregnancy, fight with spouse and other forms of abuse, previous abortions and child health challenges, were predictors of antenatal depression. Conclusion: Depression in pregnancy should be part of routine antenatal care by obstetricians noting the predictors.

Magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depression among mothers attending antenatal care in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia, 2018

Background Depression is a common mental disorder. The burden of antenatal depression is higher in developing countries which is 20% as compared to developed ones 10% to 15%. In Ethiopia around one-fifth of pregnant mothers are depressed. Despite the severity of the problem, only a few studies have been done in Ethiopia, and there is no study done in Arba Minch on the problem. Objective To assess the magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant women attending Public Health facilities in Arba Minch town Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region, Ethiopia 2018. Methods Health Institution based, cross-sectional study design was used to assess the magnitude and associated factors of antenatal depression among 323 pregnant mothers who came for antenatal care follow-up in all public health facilities in Arba Minch town. The systematic random sampling technique was applied. Interviewer administered, pretested structured Questionnaire containing Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was utilized. EPI INFO was used to enter data and then the data were analyzed by logistic regression using SPSS. Variables with P-value less than 0.2 in the bivariate logistic regression were inserted in for multivariable analysis to see their independent effect and those with P-value less than 0.05 were used to determine the significant association between dependent and independent variables. Result The magnitude of antenatal depression was 35.4%. Variables that were significantly associated with antenatal depression on multivariate analysis were anxiety (AOR = 5.49, 95%CI: 2.56, 11.77), un-planned pregnancy (AOR = 2.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 6.07), and Primigravida (AOR = 2.96, 95%CI: 1.28, 6.8). Similarly, uneducated mothers and those who attend only elementary school had AOR 4.92, 95% CI 1.36,17.73 and AOR 4.04955CI 1.23, 13.39 respectively. Conclusion The magnitude of antenatal depression, intimate partner violence, and threatening life event in Arba Minch town was high. Anxiety, unplanned pregnancy, educational status, and Primigravida were significantly associated factors with depression. There should be a mechanism for routine screening and management of antenatal depression and intimate partner violence during antenatal care follow-up.