ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of postpartum depression and associated factors. MethodsThe study was carried out in Pelotas, a city in the Southern region of Brazil, between October and November 2000. Mothers (n=410) were interviewed in the hospital using two questionnaires on obstetric and psychosocial data. Later, these mothers were visited at home, within 30 to 45 days after delivery. Occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Scale for Depression. Chisquare test was used for comparison between proportions and non conditional logistic regression was utilized in the multivariate analysis. Data analysis was conducted hierarchically: economic variables in the first level, sociodemographic in the second level, the obstetrics variables in the third level and, in the fourth level, the psychosocial variables. ResultsThe prevalence of postpartum depression observed in this sample was 19.1%. Family income (OR=5.24; CI 95%: 2.00-13.69), preference as to the child's gender (boys: OR=3.49; CI 95%: 1.76-6.93) and thinking about interrupting the pregnancy (OR=2.52; CI 95%: 1.33-4.76), were variables associated with postpartum depression. ConclusionsThese results indicate that low economic status of the puerperal woman and nonacceptance of pregnancy are key elements in the development of postpartum depression.

The mother's poverty level, psychiatric history, partner absence and stressful life events should be considered important risk factors for relevant postpartum depressive symptoms.

IntroduçãoA gestação é um período de transição que faz parte do desenvolvimento humano. Há transformações no organismo da mulher e no seu bemestar, alterando seu psiquismo e o seu papel sociofamiliar, podendo assim, ser um período em que se observam aumentos de sintomatologias, ou mesmo, o desenvolvimento de transtornos psiquiátricos 1,2 .Transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) incluem sintomas depressivos não-psicóticos, ansiedade e queixas somáticas que afetam o desempenho das atividades diárias. Os sintomas dessa categoria são: dificuldade de concentração e de esquecimento, insônia, fadiga, irritabilidade, sensação de inutilidade, e queixas somáticas, entre outros 3 . Na população geral, os TMC apresentam prevalência de 22,7% (17,9% entre os homens e 26,5% entre as mulheres) 4 . Enquanto estudos com a população de gestantes e mesmo instrumento de aferição têm encontrado prevalência um pouco maior, sendo 33,6% em estudo no Paraguai 5 e 43,1% em Recife no Brasil 6 .Pesquisas têm mostrado vários fatores associados aos TMC, tais como, baixo nível de escolaridade e/ou socioeconômico, maior faixa etária, sexo feminino, ser solteiro ou estar divorciado, estar desempregado ou não ter nenhuma ocupação, tabagismo, alcoolismo, sedentarismo e insatisfação com a imagem corporal 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 .ARTIGO ARTICLE

Is important to evaluate suicidal potential and related factors during pregnancy among women who have attended public health services. To determine the suicidal potential, question 10 from Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used. In this sample (N = 1,334), 8.1% of pregnant women demonstrated suicidal potential. The potential risk factors for suicide in depressed pregnant women were being single, divorced or widowed, thinking about having an abortion, and having anxiety symptoms; in nondepressed pregnant women were lower age, low education level, low socioeconomic class, thoughts about having an abortion and anxiety symptoms.

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Objective: To estimate the prevalence of depression and correlate clinical and demographic characteristics in pregnant women assisted by the public health system in the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study focused on pregnant women assisted by the public health service. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for depression. Results: In a sample of 1,264 pregnant women aged 12-46 years, 21.1% (n = 255) presented a depressive episode during pregnancy. The presence of depression was associated with older age, lower education, lack of a cohabiting partner, not being primiparous, planned pregnancy, abortion thoughts, psychological or psychiatric treatment, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and stressful events. Conclusion: Pregnant women assisted by the Brazilian public health system presented a high prevalence of depression. Psychiatric history, lack of support, and stressful events increase the probability of antenatal depression. Descriptors

This study analyzes self-esteem and associated factors in pregnant women treated by the Unified National Health System (SUS)

Objectives: To evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and depression in pregnant women and to identify associated factors. Method: This was a cross-sectional study including 1,264 pregnant women assisted by the public health service in the municipality of Pelotas, Brazil. Depression was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Cigarette consumption was assessed using open questions.Poisson regression was used to analyze the data. Results: The prevalence of depression during pregnancy was 21.2%; 19.3% of the depressed women were smokers. Women who smoked during pregnancy showed a 1.72-fold (95% confi dence interval: 1.27-2.34) higher probability of being depressed. Conclusion: Our fi ndings suggest a positive relationship between cigarette smoking and depression symptoms in pregnant women. Keywords: Depression, pregnancy, smoking, cross-sectional studies. ResumoObjetivos: Avaliar a associação entre consumo de cigarros e depressão durante a gravidez e identifi car fatores associados. Método: Trata-se de estudo transversal, que incluiu uma população de 1.264 gestantes atendidas nos serviços de maior fl uxo do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) da cidade de Pelotas (RS), Brasil. A depressão foi avaliada utilizando a Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, e o consumo de tabaco foi verifi cado através de questões abertas. Na análise estatística, utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson. Resultados: A prevalência de depressão durante a gestação foi de 21,2%; 19,3% das gestantes com depressão eram fumantes. As mulheres que fumaram durante a gravidez apresentaram 1,72 (intervalo de confi ança de 95%: 1,27-2,34) maior probabilidade de ter depressão. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam uma relação positiva entre o consumo de cigarros durante a gravidez e episódios depressivos.