Assessment of Antepartum Depression and its Effect on Pregnancy Outcome in Two Primary Health Care Units in Qaliobia Governorate, Egypt

Background: Depression during pregnancy occurs more often than most people realize. Early detection of depression during pregnancy is critical because depression can adversely affect birth outcome and neonatal health. Mental health care during pregnancy is a serious public health issue. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression and its effects on pregnancy outcome; among pregnant women in the last trimester,living in rural Egypt. Methods: the first part of the study was cross sectional; to assess the prevalence of antepartum depression. This was followed by a prospective part to detect the effects of antepartum depression on the outcome of pregnancy. The sample size was 300 consented women. A structured interview questionnaire was designed including socio-demographic and economic data, obstetric history, and neonatal information. Hamilton Rating Scale was used to detect the prevalence and level of Depression   Results: 68.7% of sampled women suffered from antepartum depression.  The incidence of low birth weight was (4%), and about one fifth of babies were admitted in NICU in the first month. Death in first month of life was (3%). The only significant predictor of unfavorable birth outcome using logistic regression was depression level. Females with severe depression were 9.43 at higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than normal ones. Also females with moderate depression had 1.4 higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than females without depression. Conclusion: (68.7%) of women suffered from depression during pregnancy. Increasing level of depression was significantly associated with adverse birth outcome. Key Words: depression, pregnancy, mental health, ANC, neonatal health.