Abstract

DIAZ, Mardorys et al. Depression and anxiety in pregnant women. Salus [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.2, pp.32-40. ISSN 1316-7138.

Early detection of depression and anxiety in the pregnant population avoids mental maternal health deterioration and serious consequences for their children. To analyze the levels of depression and anxiety in pregnant women who attended to the perinatology consultation and maternal-fetal medicine at a Maternal and Child Hospital between June-August 2012. A correlational, non experimental and cross-sectional study was done with a sample of 236 pregnant patients with exclusion of those with prior diagnosis of depression or anxiety, suffering previously diagnosed psychiatric illness, underlying diseases: Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, gestational diabetes, hypertension, hypertensive disorders induced by pregnancy, immune disorders, cancer, Down syndrome and sexually transmitted infections and disabled patients, who completed the Hamilton test for depression and anxiety. 56.4% belonged to socioeconomic level IV, 81% had a stable relationship and 54.2% had an unwanted pregnancy, of which 67.3% had some level of anxiety and 66.1% some level of depression. Pregnant women with unstable couples have a 8.5 times higher risk of presenting anxiety and 6.5 times more likely to develop depression, relative to those with stable partner. In women with unwanted pregnancy, the risk of anxiety was 1.63 times higher than those whom wanted their pregnancy and the risk for depression was 1.66 times higher, however this finding was not statistically significant. It was concluded that there are high levels of depression and anxiety in pregnant women who have an unstable relationship.

Keywords : Pregnancy; depression; anxiety; Hamilton scale.

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