Depression, Anxiety, and Pharmacotherapy Around the Time of Pregnancy in Hawaii

Depression and anxiety are common conditions among pregnant and postpartum women, but population-based information is lacking on treatments and help-seeking behaviors.

This study described the prevalence of depression, anxiety, pharmaceutical treatment, and help-seeking behaviors among a multiethnic population of women with recent live births in Hawaii.

Hawaii Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 4735 respondents were weighted to be representative of all pregnancies resulting in live births in Hawaii in 2009-2011 and were used to estimate the prevalence of several indicators related to anxiety and depression before, during, and after pregnancy among women with recent live births.

Of Hawaii women with live births in 2009-2011, 7.3 % reported visiting a healthcare worker to be checked or treated for depression or anxiety in the year before their most recent pregnancy, 4.9 % reported having depression in the 3 months before pregnancy, 5.9 % reported having anxiety in the same period, 9.1 % screened positive for postpartum depression, and 6.9 % reported asking a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare worker for help for anxiety postpartum. The prevalence of antianxiety and antidepressant prescription drug use was 2.3 % in the month before pregnancy and 1.4 % during pregnancy. Hawaii had lower prevalence of pre-pregnancy depression, anxiety, and depression/anxiety health visits than other US states. Pre-pregnancy depression and anxiety and postpartum anxiety help-seeking behaviors differed significantly by race/ethnicity.

Depression and anxiety are common among pregnant and postpartum women in Hawaii. More research could better inform heath care professionals and patients of the treatment options available and their potential risks and benefits.