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. 2022 Apr 13:6:23.
doi: 10.18332/ejm/146233. eCollection 2022.

Prevalence of postpartum depression and antenatal anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic: An observational prospective cohort study in Greece

Georgia Micha  1 , Thomas Hyphantis  2 , Chryssoula Staikou  3 , Dimitrios Valsamidis  4 , Eleni Arnaoutoglou  5 , Petros Tzimas  6 , Nikolaos Vlahos  7 , Alexandros Daponte  8 , Ioannis Grypiotis  1 , Polyxeni Pappa  1 , Erofili Evangelaki  1 , Sofia Apostolidou  3 , Vasileios Paschos  7 , Giolanda Varvarousi  4 , Metaxia Bareka  5 , Gloria E Izountouemoi  6 , Orestis Tsonis  9 , Iouliani Koullourou  10 , Konstantina Kalopita  1 , Konstantinos Kotsis  2
Affiliations

Prevalence of postpartum depression and antenatal anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic: An observational prospective cohort study in Greece

Georgia Micha et al. Eur J Midwifery. .

Abstract

Introduction: A significant proportion of pregnant women and women in the early postpartum period suffer from mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique stressor during this period and many studies across the world have shown elevated rates of postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods: In this multicenter two-phase observational prospective cohort study, we aim to assess the prevalence of anxiety prior to labor (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), as well as PPD at 6-8 weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

Results: Of the 330 women analyzed, 13.2% reported symptoms of depression using EPDS cut-off score ≥13. High antenatal levels of anxiety (24.8% scored ≥10 in GAD-7) were documented. A significant proportion of postpartum women reported a decrease in willingness to attend antenatal education courses (36%) and fewer antenatal visits to their obstetrician (34%) due to pandemic. Higher antenatal anxiety increased the odds of being depressed at 6-8 weeks postpartum (EPDS ≥13).

Conclusions: Compared to reported prevalence of PPD from previous studies before the COVID-19 era in Greece, we did not find elevated rates during the first wave of the pandemic. High anxiety levels were observed indicating that there is a need for close monitoring in pregnancy during the pandemic and anxiety screening to identify women who need support in the pandemic era. A well-planned maternity program should be employed by all the associated care providers to maintain the proper antenatal care adjusted to the pandemic strains as well as a follow-up after labor.

Keywords: COVID-19; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); anxiety; postpartum depression.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Questions (sorted in relation to pregnancy, newborn, family, information on COVID-19, obstetrics and anesthesiologist) related to concerns about COVID-19 and mean values
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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