Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Depression in Pregnant Women in the Southern Border Communities
Keywords:
Depression, Pregnant women, Southern border communities, Spousal relationships, FamilyAbstract
Background and Objectives Pregnant women in the southern border communities are at risk of depression due to personal, pregnancy, and family factors, which need to be addressed to prevent severe mental health issues. This study aimed to investigate depression and the factors affecting its occurrence in pregnant women in the southern border communities.
Methods The sample group consisted of 150 pregnant women, specifically selected based on predetermined criteria. The instruments used included a questionnaire on personal factors, family factors, and pregnancy factors, which were content-validated by three experts and had a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.82, as well as the 9Q Depression Assessment from the Department of Mental Health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression.
Results 68.00% of the sample group exhibited depressive symptoms. Among those with depressive symptoms, most were at a moderate level (38.70%), followed by a mild level (29.30%), and no severe depression was found. Factors significantly affecting the occurrence of depression (p < .05) included age, particularly in the group under 20 years old, who had a 3.67 times higher chance of depression compared to the group aged 35 and above (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 0.87-15.38). Family factors, particularly the quality of the relationship with a spouse, indicated that individuals with poor spousal relationships had an 87.0% chance of experiencing depression and were 3.66 times more likely to be depressed compared to those with positive spousal relationships (OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.03 - 12.99).
Conclusion and Recommendations The study results reflect that age factors and family factors related to spousal relationships are significantly important to the depression of pregnant women in border communities. Therefore, comprehensive mental health promotion and care should be implemented to prevent depression during pregnancy.
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