Perinatal depressive symptoms among Thai women : A hospital-based longitudinal study

• This longitudinal study investigated risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms and differences in depressive symptoms at late pregnancy and at one-month and three-month postpartum. In the Sakhonnakhon province, north-eastern Thailand, 449 women were recruited during late pregnancy and followed-up at one-month and three-month postpartum using psychosocial factors. Depressive symptom scores were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The scores were compared using dependent sample t-test, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for depressive symptoms at one-month and three-month postpartum. EPDS scores decreased from late pregnancy to one-month postpartum, and remained on the same level until three-month postpartum. Low psychological well-being scores and low personal income/month were risk factors for increased EPDS scores at one-month and three-month postpartum. Pregnant women in Thailand who are low-income, have limited social support, and report low psychological well-being are at increased risk for postpartum depression. Results of this study suggest they should be screened for depressive symptoms during pregnancy, referred for diagnosis, and provided treatment to reduce the risk of ongoing depressive symptoms during the postpartum period.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Caring Sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)