Abstract
Perinatal depression, a prevalent condition with negative consequences for the mother, infant and family, has been reported
in many countries. This study aimed to assess the scope of depressive symptoms among pregnant and postnatal Israeli Arab women
and to identify possible risk factors. Data were collected from a screening program at 58 Mother–Child Health Care clinics
in northern Israel from June to December, 2009. Participants included 1,254 pregnant and 2,326 postnatal women. The rate of
antenatal depressive symptoms, i.e., a score of ≥10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was 20.8%. Women attending
clinics with primarily religious or traditional populations had lower rates antenatally than did those described as secular.
During the postnatal period 16.3% of the women scored ≥10 on the EPDS. The rate of postnatal depressive symptoms was significantly
higher among women living in Moslem than Druze communities (EPDS ≥ 10: 19.0% vs. 13.4%, respectively, P = 0.01). Postnatally, there were no significant differences according to SES cluster, community size, or religious orientation.
The rate of antenatal and postnatal depression among Arab women in northern Israel was somewhat higher than that of Jewish
Israeli women in the same region, and considerably lower than that of Arab Bedouin women in southern Israel. Given the differences
in their life styles and circumstances, health policy authorities should be informed regarding the needs of these various
sub-populations.
in many countries. This study aimed to assess the scope of depressive symptoms among pregnant and postnatal Israeli Arab women
and to identify possible risk factors. Data were collected from a screening program at 58 Mother–Child Health Care clinics
in northern Israel from June to December, 2009. Participants included 1,254 pregnant and 2,326 postnatal women. The rate of
antenatal depressive symptoms, i.e., a score of ≥10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was 20.8%. Women attending
clinics with primarily religious or traditional populations had lower rates antenatally than did those described as secular.
During the postnatal period 16.3% of the women scored ≥10 on the EPDS. The rate of postnatal depressive symptoms was significantly
higher among women living in Moslem than Druze communities (EPDS ≥ 10: 19.0% vs. 13.4%, respectively, P = 0.01). Postnatally, there were no significant differences according to SES cluster, community size, or religious orientation.
The rate of antenatal and postnatal depression among Arab women in northern Israel was somewhat higher than that of Jewish
Israeli women in the same region, and considerably lower than that of Arab Bedouin women in southern Israel. Given the differences
in their life styles and circumstances, health policy authorities should be informed regarding the needs of these various
sub-populations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-011-0845-2
- Authors
- Saralee Glasser, Psychosocial Aspects of Health, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, 52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Mary Tanous, Acre Sub-District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Acre, Israel
- Shihab Shihab, Acre Sub-District Health Office, Ministry of Health, Acre, Israel
- Nofar Goldman, Department of Sociology, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel
- Arnona Ziv, Information and Computerization Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Giora Kaplan, Psychosocial Aspects of Health, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, 52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875