Antenatal depression and its predictors in Lahore, Pakistan

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Mental Health
• Perinatal Psychiatry

Background:

• Mental health is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of reproductive healthcare.
• Antenatal depression poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal well-being.
• Understanding prevalence and risk factors is crucial for targeted interventions in Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of antenatal depression among women attending antenatal care.
• To identify significant risk factors associated with antenatal depression in this population.
• To explore protective factors against antenatal depression.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted at an urban tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.
• Structured questionnaires were administered to 506 antenatal attendees.
• Depression screening was performed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of antenatal depression was observed, with 64.6% of women scoring >=10 on the EPDS.
• Mothers younger than 20 years (93.7%) showed higher depression scores compared to those over 35 years (55.0%).
• Significant risk factors included fear of childbirth and separation from husband; family psychiatric history was a protective factor.

Conclusions:

• Antenatal depression is highly prevalent in urban Pakistani women attending antenatal care.
• Targeted support for young mothers and addressing fears related to childbirth and spousal relationships is essential.
• Family psychiatric history may indicate resilience, warranting further investigation.