Influencing Factors on Antenatal Depression

This study examined the influencing factors on antenatal depression among pregnant women.

This was a cross sectional descriptive study with 255 pregnant women who visited a general hospital in a metropolitan city for their regularly scheduled check-up. Measurement tools employed were the Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the food habits, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Socio-demographic variables and the status of high risk pregnancy were identified. Influencing factors on antenatal depression were identified using a stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The mean score of antenatal depression was 7.2 +/- 5.0; 18.4% with mild depression, 5.9% had moderate depression, with 0.8% identified with severe depression on BDI scale. Influencing factors on antenatal depression accounted for 47.8% of the total variance which consisted of quality of sleep, marital satisfaction, food habits, gestation periods, sexual satisfaction, high risk pregnancy, and age.

Findings show that antenatal depression should be monitored on a regular basis during early pregnancy and in high risk pregnancy if possible, and quality of sleep and food habits should be incorporated in the management of antenatal depression.