A population-based sample of women was surveyed in early and late pregnancy. CMD were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Viet Nam Validation and psychosocial risks by study-specific structured interviews.
In total 497/523 (97 % ) eligible women were recruited and 419 (84 % ) provided complete data. Prevalence of CMD only in early pregnancy was 22.4 % (95 % CI 18.4-26.4); only in late pregnancy was 10.7 % (95 % CI 7.8-13.7) and at both assessment waves was 17.4 % (95 % CI 13.8-21.1). Non-economic and economic coincidental life adversity, intimate partner violence, past pregnancy loss, and childhood abuse were positively associated with persistent antenatal CMD. Older age, having a preference for the baby¡¯s sex, and nulli- or primiparity were risk factors for CMD in early pregnancy.
Persistent antenatal CMD are prevalent in rural areas of Viet Nam. Psychosocial risk factors play a major role in this significant public health problem.