Assessment of prenatal depression among U.S. pregnant women without access to paid sick leave and regular place of care: National Health Interview Survey of U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born

• Published in: Preventive medicine reports Vol. 35; p. 102322
• Main Authors: Sulley, Saanie, Adzrago, David, Mamudu, Lohuwa, Odame, Emmanuel A., Atandoh, Paul H., Tagoe, Ishmael, Ruggieri, David, Kahle, Lisa, Williams, Faustine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Non-U.S.-born; Paid sick leave; Place of care; Prenatal depression; Regular; U.S.-born; Prenatal depression; U.S.-born; Non-U.S.-born; Place of care; Paid sick leave
• ISSN: 2211-3355; 2211-3355
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102322

•Pregnant women with depression are at increased risk of perinatal depression (PND).•PND prevalence higher among pregnant women without routine place of care.•Women without paid sick leave and routine place of care had higher odds of PND.•Access to mental health services during pregnancy is necessary. Prenatal depression is one of the most common risks during pregnancy. This study examined the prevalence and likelihood of prenatal depression association with sociodemographic factors, paid sick leave, and place of care among U.S. pregnant women. We conducted bivariate Chi-square tests to assess the statistical difference and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association of prenatal depression using the National Health Interview Survey, cross-sectional data from 2010 to 2019 of pregnant women aged 18–44 years (N = 957). The prevalence of prenatal depression was 40.6%, 28.5%, and 27.2% among White, Black, and other racial pregnant women, respectively. Pregnant women with no regular/routine place of care had a prenatal depression prevalence rate of 58.1%, and those without access to paid sick leave had 46.9%. Also, pregnant women without access to paid sick leave were found to have an increased likelihood of reporting prenatal depression ([adjusted odds ratio] AOR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.72–3.64), as well as those without a regular place of care (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.32–4.47).The findings identify factors that need to be addressed to minimize depression among U.S. pregnant women and establish the need for tailored interventions to address prenatal depression.