Depression in the Peruvian Pregnant Population and Its Associated Factors: Analysis of The ENDES 2018-2019

Objective: To determine the factors associated with the presence of depressive symptoms in the Peruvian pregnant population using the Demographic and Family Health Survey ENDES 2018–2019. Material and methods: A secondary base analysis of the ENDES 2018 and 2019 was carried out. The PHQ-9 instrument was used to evaluate depressive symptoms. Standardized questions were used to measure the history of violence. In the multi-variable model, Poisson regression was used, the crude PR was calculated and adjusted with 95% CI, the variables entered the model according to statistical criteria. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women was 6.8%. There was 19.7% of pregnant women who expressed having had a history of general violence. An association was found with said antecedent (PRa 3.8, 95% CI = 1.6; 8.8, p = 0.002), the presence of some type of disability (PRa = 9.4, 95% CI = 1.8; 50.1, p = 0.01) and the number of children (PRa = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0; 2.2, p = 0.03). Respondents who wanted to wait longer to get pregnant were 5.1 times the prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those who wanted to get pregnant at that time (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between the rest of the variables and the outcome. Conclusion: The present study showed that a history of general violence, the presence of some type of disability, the number of children and the waiting time to get pregnant are associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. More studies are required, especially of a longitudinal type.