{
  "abstract": "Objective This study investigated perinatal depressive symptoms among pregnant and postpartum Filipino women.Design Cross-sectional survey.Setting The Philippines.Participants Participants were recruited online and face-to-face from maternal care facilities.Primary outcome measure Perinatal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score, with prevalence calculated based on ≥13 cut-off, indicating clinically significant symptoms of depression. Patterns of depressive symptoms were examined by demographics, perinatal time period and other obstetric information using adjusted regression coefficients (a b) and risk ratios (aRR).Results A total of 856 women participated in the study, comprising 356 pregnant and 500 postpartum women. EPDS scores were, on average, similar between pregnant (14.4) and postpartum women (14.1). Using the locally validated cut-off of ≥13 revealed that 69.1% of pregnant and 62.0% of postpartum women reported clinically significant depressive symptoms. Consistent EPDS scores and prevalence were observed across pregnancy trimesters and within 12 months postpartum and beyond. Women who received adequate prenatal care were less likely to experience antenatal (a b=−1.59, 95% CI −3.13 to −0.05) and postpartum (ab=−1.30, 95% CI −2.48 to −0.12) depressive symptoms. Postpartum EPDS scores and depressive symptom prevalence (EPDS score ≥13) were higher among 18–24-year olds (ab=1.96, 95% CI 0.30 to 3.61; aRR=1.23, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.47) and single mothers (ab=3.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 6.71; aRR=1.42, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.90), compared with older and married mothers, respectively.Conclusions At least 60% Filipino mothers experienced clinically significant perinatal depressive symptoms, which exceeds the established global average of 25%. Younger and single postpartum women were at greater risk, while pregnant and postpartum women who attended adequate prenatal visits were less likely to report depressive symptoms. Our study underscores the need for further research to uncover the true burden of poor perinatal mental health and calls for targeted early interventions and integrative public health strategies to support at-risk mothers, particularly those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Joycelyn Abiog Filoteo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines",
        "School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia",
        "Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Queensland, Australia",
        "Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Joemer Calderon Maravilla"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Jose Edwardo Mamaat"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Arbie Diane Flores"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Ana Nelia Jumamil"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, Institute of Arts and Sciences, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Reinalyn Lim Cardenas"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Wilfredo Quijencio, Jr"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines",
        "JPMC College of Health Sciences, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam"
      ],
      "name": "Mary Ann Bayani"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines",
        "JPMC College of Health Sciences, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam"
      ],
      "name": "Nemencio Santos, Jr"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Joyce Lisa Acena"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Anna Liza Alfonso"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Mayla Rivera"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Guariño"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines",
        "JPMC College of Health Sciences, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam"
      ],
      "name": "Rachelle Sarmiento"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Vicki Flenady"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia",
        "Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Frances M Boyle"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia"
      ],
      "name": "Siobhan A Loughnan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines"
      ],
      "name": "Alma Trinidad Taragua"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Epidemiological investigation of perinatal depression among pregnant and postpartum women: findings from a cross-sectional survey in the Philippines",
  "uid": "28d0dab7-cedf-5442-af17-0d5d1824648d"
}