THE ANTENATAL DEPRESSION IN LATE PREGNANCY
To determine the frequency of depression during the late antenatal period among women attending a tertiary care hospital for antenatal care.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of depression during the late antenatal period among women attending a tertiary care hospital for antenatal care.
STUDY DESIGN
This investigation employed a descriptive cross-sectional methodology.
PLACE AND DURATION OF THE STUDY
This research was executed at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Dow University Hospital from February 17, 2025, to August 25, 2025.
METHODOLOGY
A total of 382 pregnant women aged 15–40 years in their third trimester were included, excluding those with psychiatric, neurological, or medical comorbidities. Depression was assessed using ICD-11 criteria and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Participants were selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. Data was analysed in SPSS version 26.0 using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS
The study included 382 pregnant women in their third trimester with a mean age of 27.38 ± 7.58 years. Antenatal depression, assessed by EPDS, was present in a considerable proportion of participants. No statistically significant associations were found between depression and age (p=0.837), parity (p=0.327), marital status (p=0.665), education (p = 0.947), employment (p = 0.224), or socioeconomic status (p=0.960).
CONCLUSION
This investigation underscores that antenatal depression constitutes a considerable issue throughout the third trimester, regardless of socio-demographic attributes. The results accentuate the necessity of integrating systematic mental health assessments into antenatal care utilizing validated instruments such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Prompt identification and suitable interventions can contribute to the protection of maternal health and foster more favourable pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
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