Assessment of Postpartum Depression Risks in Primigravid Women

Authors : Ege Miray Topcu, Mahire Olcay Çam

Pages : 44-51

View : 34 | Download : 110

Publication Date : 2025-12-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :It is known that perinatal depression experienced by women during their first pregnancy increases the risk of postnatal depression in their subsequent lives and pregnancies. This study includes data obtained from the screening phase of a doctoral thesis project supported by TÜBİTAK (1002-B). The aim is to assess the risk of depression and influencing factors during the prenatal period in women experiencing their first pregnancy. Between September 2021 and December 2024, 335 volunteer women experiencing their first pregnancy, who were 24 weeks or more pregnant and attending Ege University Hospital, were included in the study. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and analyzed using non-parametric tests as they were not a normal distribution. The participants\\\' mean EPDS score was 7.90±5.14, with 34.7% scoring 10 or above. The mean BDI score was 8.79±6.04, with 9.4% scoring above 17. A strong positive correlation was found between EPDS and BDI scores. Significant differences were found between depression levels and income level, family type, and whether the pregnancy was planned. In conclusion, women’s mental health is at risk during their first pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women be psychologically monitored and supported from the prenatal period onwards.
Keywords : Depression, mental health, perinatal, pregnancy

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