Prevalence of and relevant factors for depression and anxiety symptoms among pregnant women on the eastern seaboard of China in the post-COVID-19 era

Abstract

Background Antenatal depression and anxiety symptoms may have negative consequences for both mothers and offspring, and upward trends in the prevalence of these symptoms were especially apparent during the COVID-19 epidemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of and relevant factors influencing depressive and anxiety symptoms in Chinese pregnant women in the post-COVID-19 era. Methods We conducted an online survey of 1,963 pregnant women in Jiangsu Province, using a cross-sectional design, and collected their general demographic data. The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate depression symptoms, and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety symptoms. Results The prevalence of reported antenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression combined with anxiety symptoms was 25.2%, 27.9%, and 18.6%, respectively. Of the respondents, prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and combined symptoms was 7.9%, 7.7%, and 4.7%, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, low level of education, rural area, unemployment, pregnancy complications, poor marital relationship, and fair household income were positively association with both depressive and anxiety symptoms (all P < 0.05). The proportion of women reporting anxiety symptoms in the third trimester was 1.895-fold higher than in first trimester. Parity was not a relevant factor for depression and anxiety symptoms (all P > 0.05). Conclusions In the post-COVID-19 era, the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnant women was higher than expected, and it is vital to establish hospital, community, and family psychological health screening systems based on relevant factors and enhance early preventive measures.

Pregnant Women’s Dyadic Coping and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study Utilizing Latent Profile Analysis

“…7 A study in China showed that the prevalence of prenatal depression, anxiety, and depression combined with anxiety were 25.2%, 27.9%, and 18.6%, respectively. 8 Inappropriate coping with these negative emotions not only affects the health status of the pregnant woman, but also poses a risk to the health of the offspring, 9 the relationship of the couple, 10 and the functioning of the family. 11 Research has shown that lack of family support and spouse support are risk factors for prenatal depression and anxiety, 12,13 while good family relationships are protective factors for prenatal depression.…”