# Prevalence and predictors of prenatal depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multistage observational study in Beijing, China

## TL;DR

This study found that the prevalence of prenatal depression in Beijing during the pandemic was not significantly different across phases, and identified factors like mental health history and social support as predictors.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into prenatal depression during the pandemic in a region with strict policies and identifies specific predictors relevant to Beijing.

## Key findings

- The pooled prevalence of prenatal depression during the pandemic was 11.9%.
- Phases of the pandemic showed no significant differences in depression rates.
- Predictors included mental illness history, gender preferences, social support, occupation, and living space.

## Abstract

While growing psychological health issues among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic have been clearly validated, most research was conducted in countries with relatively lax quarantine measures. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of prenatal depression among pre-, peak-, and post-COVID-19 in Beijing, the region with a stringent response policy in China. We also explore predictors of prenatal depression throughout the outbreak.

We investigated prenatal depression among 742 pregnant women who received antenatal checkups in Beijing from March 28, 2019 to May 07, 2021 using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and associative demographic, pregnancy-related, and psychosocial characteristics were measured. The phase was divided into pre-, peak-, and post-COVID-19 in light of the trajectory of COVID-19. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used after the examination of confounders homogeneity. The bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to explore predictors.

The pooled prevalence of prenatal depression was 11.9% throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates at different phases were 10.6%, 15.2%, and 11.1% respectively and no significant difference was observed. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that history of mental illness, number of boy-preference from both pregnant women and husband’s family, social support, occupation, and living space were independent predictors of prenatal depression in Beijing.

Our data suggested that the impact of this pandemic on prenatal depression in Beijing appears to be not significant, which will strengthen confidence in adhering to current policy for decision-makers and provide important guidance for the development of major outbreak control and management policies in the future. Our findings may also provide a more efficient measure to identify high-risk pregnant women for professionals and help raise gender equity awareness of pregnant women and their husbands’ families. Future studies should focus on the value of targeted care and family relations on the mental health of pregnant women.