Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms in Central China: A longitudinal, real-world study

Postpartum depressive symptoms is a common and serious mental disorder. Most of the previous studies on the predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms adopted cross-sectional designs with relatively low levels of research evidence. Based on a prospective longitudinal study design, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms and associated risk factors in central China.

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted between May 2018 and August 2020 in 2 cities in central China. Socio-demographic characteristics, family characteristics, and prenatal depressive symptoms of women were investigated during the third trimester. Postpartum depressive symptoms were tracked at 1 month postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms.

Of the 794 postpartum women who completed follow-up, 294 (37.02 %) were experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analyses showed that prior pregnancy loss (OR = 1.83; 95 % CI: 1.21-2.78; P = 0.005), prenatal depressive symptoms (OR = 1.28; 95 % CI: 1.22-1.35; P < 0.001), and experiencing two or more family conflicts per week (OR = 5.52; 95 % CI: 2.96-10.29; P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms. Whereas good family function (OR = 0.83; 95 % CI: 0.78-0.90; P < 0.001) was a protective factor.

The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was high in central China. Prenatal depressive symptoms, family conflict, family dysfunction, and pregnancy loss were important risk factors. The results of this study will help guide the development of measures to prevent and manage postpartum depressive symptoms during pregnancy.