Sociodemographic risk factors of perinatal depression: a cohort study in the public health care system

Objective: To assess the sociodemographic risk factors for the prevalence and incidence of relevant postpartum depressive symptoms. Method: We studied a cohort of women in their perinatal period with the assistance of the public health system in the city of Pelotas-RS, Brazil. We assessed depressive symptoms with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in the prenatal and postnatal periods. Results: We interviewed 1,109 women. The prevalence of meaningful depressive symptoms during pregnancy was 20.5% and postpartum was 16.5%. Women with prenatal depression were at higher risk for postpartum depression. Conclusion: The mother's poverty level, psychiatric history, partner absence and stressful life events should be considered important risk factors for relevant postpartum depressive symptoms.