Resumo

CHORWE-SUNGANI, Genesis  e  CHIPPS, Jennifer. A cross-sectional study of depression among women attending antenatal clinics in Blantyre district, Malawi. S. Afr. j. psyc. [online]. 2018, vol.24, n.1, pp.1-6. ISSN 2078-6786.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v24i0.1181.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a period associated with major psychological and social changes in the life of a woman and can be associated with anxiety and depression AIM: To describe demographic, clinical and risk profile of antenatal depression among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Blantyre district, Malawi SETTING: The study was conducted in eight antenatal clinics in Blantyre district, Malawi METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 480 randomly selected pregnant women attending antenatal clinics was conducted. Prevalence was determined using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) which was validated against a sub-sample using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The risk factors of depression were assessed using the Pregnancy Risk Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression RESULTS: Prevalence of antenatal depression using the EPDS was 19% (95% CI 15.5% - 22.5%, n = 91) and was comparable to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (25.8% [95% CI = 17.5-34], n = 25). The key risk factors that predicted antenatal depression were: 'being distressed by anxiety or depression for more than 2 weeks during this pregnancy' (OR = 4.1 [2.1-7.9], p ≤ 0.001); 'feeling that a relationship with partner is not an emotionally supportive one' (OR = 3.5 [1.4-8.4], p = 0.01); 'having major stresses, changes or losses in the course of this pregnancy' (OR = 3.2 [1.7-6.2], p = 0.01); 'feeling that father was critical of her when growing up' (OR = 3.2 [1.4-7.6], p = 0.01); and 'having history of feeling miserable or depressed for ≥2 weeks before this pregnancy' (OR = 2.4 [1.3-4.4], p = 0.01 CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the high-prevalence rate of depression in this group and illustrated that antenatal depression was associated with being distressed by anxiety or depression; support from partner; major stresses during pregnancy; and history of feeling miserable or depressed before pregnancy. This study also found a history of poor relationship between pregnant women and their fathers during childhood

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