The Prevalence of Depression Symptoms among Pregnant Women during the Second Wave of COVID-19

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are vulnerable to depression. We hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic would increase depression in pregnancy leading to complications to both mother and fetus. AIM: This study is aimed to identify antenatal depression symptoms during the second wave COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted from 10 to 21 June 2021. A number of 130 pregnant women were recruited through both convenience and snowball sampling. An online survey with self-administered Whooley questions was used to assess antenatal depression symptoms. RESULTS: We found elevated antenatal depression symptoms similar to other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of pregnant women with depression symptoms was 42.3%. The majority of pregnant women who had antenatal depression symptoms had the following characteristics: About 44.75% lived outside Jakarta, 60% had low education (Junior high school and below), 42.9% aged 20–35 years, and 44.8% of them were housewives. CONCLUSION: In Indonesia, the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic affected increasing symptoms of depression among pregnant women. Positive protective factors should be taken to prevent negative impacts of both unidentified and untreated antenatal depression among the pregnant women for the sake of maternal and child health.