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25-05-2023 | Mood Disorders | Original Article

Impact of covid-19 pandemic over depressive symptoms among mothers from a population-based birth cohort in southern brazil

Authors: Iná S. Santos, Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues, Jessica M. Maruyama, Aluísio J. D. Barros, Isabel Bierhals, Bianca Del Ponte, Alicia Matijasevich

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 4/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on depressive symptoms among mothers from a population-based birth cohort in Pelotas, Southern Brazil.

Methods

A subgroup of mothers from the Pelotas 2004 Birth Cohort was assessed pre-pandemic (November,2019 to March,2020) and mid-pandemic (August-December,2021). In both follow-ups, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Pre-pandemic (T₁) and pandemic-related predictors (T₂) were analyzed. Prevalence of depression (EPDS score ≥ 13) at T₁ and T₂ were compared with chi-square test. Changes in EPDS from T₁ to T₂ were estimated by multivariate latent change score modelling.

Results

1,550 women were assessed. Prevalence of depression increased 38.1% (from 18.9% at T₁ to 26.1% at T₂) (p < 0.001). At T₁, higher schooling, higher family income and being employed or working were related to lower EPDS, whereas being beneficiary of a cash transfer program and a larger number of people living in the household predicted higher EPDS. The deterioration of ones’ own perception of quality of overall health (β = 0.191; SE = 0.028; p < 0.001) and worst family financial situation due to the pandemic (β = 0.083; SE = 0.024; p = 0.001) predicted the increase in EPDS from T₁ to T₂.

Conclusion

Almost two years after the beginning of the pandemic, the prevalence of depressive symptoms among the women was higher than before the pandemic. The deterioration of ones’ own perception of quality of overall health and worst family financial situation due to the pandemic are proxies for the effect of COVID-19 pandemic (the true exposure of interest) in the women mental health.

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Title: Impact of covid-19 pandemic over depressive symptoms among mothers from a population-based birth cohort in southern brazil
Authors: Iná S. Santos
Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues
Jessica M. Maruyama
Aluísio J. D. Barros
Isabel Bierhals
Bianca Del Ponte
Alicia Matijasevich
Publication date: 25-05-2023
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01331-2

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Impact of covid-19 pandemic over depressive symptoms among mothers from a population-based birth cohort in southern brazil

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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