Mental Health Conditions in Pregnancy and Socioeconomic Status
Author Information
Author(s): Miao Qun, Zai Gwyneth, Joiner Ian, Burnside Jessica, Walker Mark
Primary Institution: Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario
Hypothesis
How do mental health conditions during pregnancy relate to socioeconomic status in Ontario, Canada?
Conclusion
Pregnant individuals in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods are at a higher risk for mental health conditions, indicating health inequity in Ontario.
Supporting Evidence
- 10.5% of pregnant individuals experienced anxiety.
- 8.1% of pregnant individuals experienced depression.
- 15.8% had at least one mental health condition during pregnancy.
- Lower socioeconomic status is linked to higher rates of mental health issues.
Takeaway
If you live in a poorer neighborhood, you might feel more anxious or depressed when you're pregnant. This study shows that where you live can affect how you feel.
Methodology
A population-based retrospective cohort study using data from Ontario hospitals for singleton pregnancies from 2012 to 2021.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of mental health outcomes due to reliance on hospital diagnoses and self-reports.
Limitations
The study used neighborhood-level socioeconomic indicators instead of individual-level measures, which may lead to misclassification.
Participant Demographics
76% of participants were under 35 years old, with 12.6% living in rural areas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95%CI: 1.22–1.27 for anxiety, 95%CI: 1.52–1.59 for depression
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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