Atuhaire Catherine, Taseera Kabanda, Atwine Daniel, Maling Samuel, Patel Vikram
Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
SRF Research and Training Centres.
Res Sq. 2025 Aug 7:rs.3.rs-7020757. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020757/v1.
Postpartum depression (PPD) remains a global maternal mental health concern, particularly in low-income settings. Maternal social support has been identified as a potential protective factor, yet little prospective evidence exists from rural Uganda. This study examined the association between Antepartum Perceived Maternal Social Support and Postpartum Depression among women in rural southwestern Uganda.
A multi-facility prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women attending three health facilities in Mbarara District, rural Southwestern Uganda. Participants were enrolled during latent labor and followed up at six weeks postpartum. Perceived Maternal Social Support was measured using the Maternity Social Support Scale (MSSS), and PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. These were assessed antepartum in latent labour and 6 weeks following childbirth. Data were analyzed using logistic regression in both univariable and multivariable analyses.
A total of 502 pregnant women were included in this analysis aimed at establishing the association between Antepartum Perceived Maternal Social Support with Postpartum Depression. The overall prevalence of PPD was 4.8%. Inadequate social support was reported by 46% of participants. Bivariate analysis showed a great association between inadequate social support and PPD (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8; p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, adequate maternal social support was associated with a 60% reduction in the odds of developing postpartum depression (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-1.0; p = 0.056). Other significant predictors of postpartum depression were experiencing complications during delivery, preterm birth, and stressful life events during labour.
Perceived Maternal Social Support is a protective factor against Postpartum Depression. Strengthening social support systems during the antepartum period and the early postpartum period may help reduce the burden of PPD among women, especially those living in rural settings where access to mental health resources may be limited.
产后抑郁症（PPD）仍然是一个全球范围内的孕产妇心理健康问题，在低收入地区尤为突出。孕产妇社会支持已被确定为一个潜在的保护因素，但乌干达农村地区几乎没有前瞻性证据。本研究调查了乌干达西南部农村地区妇女产前感知到的孕产妇社会支持与产后抑郁症之间的关联。
在乌干达西南部农村地区姆巴拉拉区的三个医疗机构对孕妇进行了一项多机构前瞻性队列研究。参与者在潜伏期分娩时登记入组，并在产后六周进行随访。使用孕产妇社会支持量表（MSSS）测量感知到的孕产妇社会支持，并使用爱丁堡产后抑郁量表（EPDS）和迷你国际神经精神病学访谈评估产后抑郁症。这些在产前潜伏期和分娩后6周进行评估。在单变量和多变量分析中使用逻辑回归对数据进行分析。
本分析共纳入502名孕妇，旨在确定产前感知到的孕产妇社会支持与产后抑郁症之间的关联。产后抑郁症的总体患病率为4.8%。46%的参与者报告社会支持不足。双变量分析显示社会支持不足与产后抑郁症之间存在显著关联（OR：0.3；95%CI：0.1 - 0.8；p = 0.017）。在多变量分析中，充足的孕产妇社会支持与产后抑郁症发病几率降低60%相关（OR：0.4；95%CI：0.2 - 1.0；p = 0.056）。产后抑郁症的其他显著预测因素包括分娩期间出现并发症、早产以及分娩期间的压力性生活事件。
感知到的孕产妇社会支持是预防产后抑郁症的一个保护因素。在产前和产后早期加强社会支持系统可能有助于减轻妇女产后抑郁症的负担，特别是那些生活在心理健康资源可能有限的农村地区的妇女。
