European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Depression is the commonest psychological problem that affects a woman during her perinatal period worldwide. The risk of prenatal depression increases as the pregnancy progresses and clinically significant depressive symptoms are common in the mid and late trimester. There is a paucity of research on depression during the prenatal period in India. Given this background, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of prenatal depression and its associated risk factors among pregnant women in Central India. Methods: The study was nested within an on-going cohort study. The study participants included 500 All pregnant women attending antenatal OPD clinic and admitted patients in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,and ready to give written consent were included. The data was collected by using a structured questionnaire which included. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to screen for prenatal depression. Results: In our study occurrence of depression during pregnancyis 28.4% (142 out of 500) according to Edinburg’s Postnatal Depression Scale. If severity of depression is to be considered, out of total 142 study participants having antenatal depressive symptoms, 50 (35.21%) werehaving possible depression, 75 (52.81%) were having fairly high possible depression and 17(11.98%)werehaving probable depression.shows that 55 (38.73%) out of 142 study participants having antenatal depressive symptoms, belong to extremes of age group (less than 19 years and more than 35 years) Conclusion: The current study's observation of a high incidence of prenatal depression implies its importance as a public health concern. Consequently, health care plans may encompass antenatal care services, including screening and diagnosis of prenatal depression, in addition to other medical amenities offered.