Postpartum Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms in the immediate postpartum period ([&le;] 7 days postpartum) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analytical study. The study population consisted of postpartum women >18 years old enrolled at the Municipal University Hospital of Sao Bernardo do Campo. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical history were administered to 90 patients in the first week of the immediate postpartum period between June and December 2021. ResultsAn Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score > 10 was observed in 39 (43.3%) of the postpartum women. From a multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a score > 10 on the scale were: "having no belief/spirituality" with 83% (95% CI 1.20-2.81, p<0.006), "having had more than one pregnancy" with 50% (95% CI 0.29-0.89, p<0.02), "having a previous episode of depression" with 64% (95% CI 1.02-2.65, p<0.04), and "having a previous episode of anxiety" with 83% (95% CI 1.06-3.16, p<0.03). The other factors studied did not have statistical significance. ConclusionWith the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the immediate postpartum period was observed. The postpartum women who scored > 10 on the EPDS had the following common associated factors: "having no belief/spirituality", "having had more than one pregnancy", "having a previous episode of depression", and "having a previous episode of anxiety". These findings indicate the need for greater attention from health professionals to these positive factors.