Prevalence and contributing factors of postpartum depression risk during the pandemic among women living in Baixo Alentejo at Portugal

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 10;15(1):35420. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-17949-4.

ABSTRACT

The WHO estimates that postpartum depression occurs in 13-20% of women. It is underdiagnosed and undervalued. The aim is to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with the risk of postpartum depression in times of Pandemic in puerperal women in Baixo-Alentejo, Portugal. Cross-sectional study with 301 participants. The online questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, characteristics of pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, and also the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The statistical analysis used IBM-SPSS. After bivariate analysis, variables with a p-value < .25 were selected. Logistic regression was performed on the potential predictors. Ethical principles were respected. The average age of the participants was 31.35 years (SD = 5.80). At an EPDS total score cut-off of 10, the prevalence of the risk of postpartum depression was 27.57%. Three protective factors associated with the risk of postpartum depression were: a) feeling safe during childbirth (OR .958, 95% CI .942-.974, B = – .043), b) being accompanied in labor by a family member (OR .342, 95% CI .163-.715, B = – 1.074) and c) planning the pregnancy (OR .209, 95% CI .109-.397, B = – 1.568). The model explained 34.3% of the variance in the risk of postpartum depression. The study suggests the need for local health policies. Potentiation of short- and long-term morbidities must be avoided.

PMID:41073466 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-17949-4