Course of perinatal depressive symptoms among South African women : associations with child outcomes at 18 and 36 months
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Purpose Latent modelling was used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms among low-income perinatal women in
South Africa. Predictors of trajectories and the association of trajectories with child outcomes were assessed.
Methods This is a secondary analysis of data collected among women living in Cape Town settlements (N = 446). Participants
were eligible if pregnant and 18 years or older, and included in the analysis if allocated to the control arm (routine
perinatal care). Participants were excluded in case of non-singleton birth and baby death. Follow-up assessments were at
2 weeks, 6-, 18-, and 36-month postpartum. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were based on the Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale scores until 18-month postpartum, using latent class growth analysis. Child physical, cognitive, socioemotional,
and behavioural outcomes were assessed at 18 and/or 36 months. Univariate and multivariate regressions were
used to identify predictors of trajectories and differences in child outcomes.
Results Four trajectories were identified: chronic low (71.1%), late postpartum (10.1%), early postpartum (14.4%), and
chronic high (4.5%). Low social support, unwanted pregnancy, and risky drinking were associated with the chronic high
trajectory; unemployment and HIV-positive status with the early postpartum trajectory; and intimate partner violence with
the late postpartum trajectory. Weight-to-length and weight-for-age z-scores at 18 months, and weight-for-age z-scores,
length-for-age z-scores, emotional symptom, and peer problem scores at 36 months differed across trajectories.
Conclusions Severe depressive symptoms in postpartum period have a lasting effect on child physical and socio-emotional
outcomes. Multiple screening throughout pregnancy and 1-year postpartum is essential.
Description
CITATION: Garman, E. C., et al. 2019. Course of perinatal depressive symptoms among South African women : associations with child outcomes at 18 and 36 months. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54:1111-1123, doi:10.1007/s00127-019-01665-2.
The original publication is available at https://link.springer.com
The original publication is available at https://link.springer.com
Keywords
Depression, Child development, Maternal health -- Psychological aspects, Latent class growth analysis
Citation
Garman, E. C., et al. 2019. Course of perinatal depressive symptoms among South African women : associations with child outcomes at 18 and 36 months. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 54:1111-1123, doi:10.1007/s00127-019-01665-2