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. 2022 Apr;26(4):770-777.
doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03425-2. Epub 2022 Mar 27.

Prevalence and predictors of symptoms of Perinatal Mood and anxiety Disorders among a sample of Urban Black Women in the South

Natalie D Hernandez  1 , Sherilyn Francis  2 , Morgan Allen  3 , Erica Bellamy  3 , Omar T Sims  4 , Hyejung Oh  5 , Dominique Guillaume  6 , Andrea Parker  7 , Rasheeta Chandler  8
Affiliations

Prevalence and predictors of symptoms of Perinatal Mood and anxiety Disorders among a sample of Urban Black Women in the South

Natalie D Hernandez et al. Matern Child Health J. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: Data are scarce regarding the prevalence and predictors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) among Black women. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of symptoms of PMADS among Black women.

Methods: Black women completed a paper survey between August 2019 and October 2019. Binomial logistic regression was employed to examine predictors of PMAD symptoms.

Results: The prevalence of symptoms of PMADs was 56%. A higher proportion of women with PMADs had experienced depression (16% vs. 32%, p = 0.006); physical (18% vs. 31%, p = 0.030), emotional (35% vs. 61%, p = 0.000), or sexual abuse (12% vs. 29%, p = 0.002); and symptoms of depression or anxiety before pregnancy (18% vs. 46%, p = 0.000). After adjusting for socio-demographics in multivariate analysis, experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety before pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.445, p = 0.001) was positively associated with experiencing symptoms of PMADs, whereas higher levels of self-esteem (aOR = 0.837, p = 0.000) were negatively associated with experiencing symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Conclusions for practice: The prevalence of PMAD symptoms among this sample of Black women was alarmingly high. Women who experienced PMADs were more likely to report adverse childhood experiences (e.g., physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse). By understanding the prevalence of PMADs and the factors associated with these disorders, healthcare professionals can improve diagnosis and treatment rates among this understudied and underserved population.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Black women; Depression and anxiety; Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; Self-esteem.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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