Prevalencia y factores asociados a la depresión en mujeres primigestas durante el puerperio en el Hospital Universitario de Guayaquil en el año 2023.

Abstract

Postpartum depression affects the emotional state of a large number of women after childbirth, particularly during their first pregnancies, due to the physical, emotional, and social changes they undergo. It is a disorder that can have harmful effects on the mother's health. This condition can also negatively impact maternal well-being, neonatal development, and family interaction. Within this context, the purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of postpartum depression in primigravida women who received care at the University Hospital of Guayaquil during 2023. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted, in which the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied to a group of pregnant women. The research found that 14% of participants experienced postpartum depression, with key contributing factors being high levels of stress, lack of family support, and obstetric complications such as preeclampsia and premature birth. The analysis also showed that both marital status and socioeconomic level influenced the likelihood of experiencing this disorder, with single mothers and those with low income being the most affected. Regarding treatment, among all women with postpartum depression: 42.7% underwent psychotherapy, 25.3% received pharmacological treatment, and 32% did not receive any intervention. Despite the therapeutic efforts, 36% of patients reported no improvement in their emotional state, highlighting the need to assess the effectiveness of the applied treatment strategies. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of developing training programs, promoting early identification, and strengthening multidisciplinary intervention strategies. These should include psychosocial and family support, as well as adequate training of healthcare personnel in the detection and treatment of postpartum depression.