Prevalence of and factors associated with postnatal depression and anxiety among parents of preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Affect Disord 2023;
322:235-248. [PMID:
36400151 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with postpartum depression and anxiety among mothers and fathers of preterm infants and to examine the relationships between maternal and paternal symptoms.
METHODS
Six electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies reporting parental depression and anxiety within 1 year postpartum. Data were extracted for a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to analyze associations between study characteristics and prevalence estimates.
RESULTS
In total, 79 studies were included. The meta-analysis of studies on mothers generated estimates of prevalence for depression (29.2 %, 95 % CI, 21.8 %-37.9 %) and anxiety (37.7 %, 95 % CI, 24.1 %-53.6 %). The meta-analysis of fathers indicated a pooled depression prevalence of 17.4 % (95 % CI, 12.5 %-23.8 %) and an anxiety estimate of 18.3 % (95 % CI, 8.1 %-36.3 %). Assessment time points and methods as well as the geographic continent in which the study was conducted were significant moderators of depression and anxiety. Significant inter-correlations were found between mothers' and fathers' depression and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05).
LIMITATIONS
Limited data from specific geographic continents, including Africa and Asia.
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of depression and anxiety among preterm infants' parents was high, highlighting the need for early psychological screening and assessment. Further research is required to improve services that focus on parents' postpartum psychological needs in the family context.
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