Revista de saude publica
Volume 50, 2016

The impact of migration on women's mental health in the postpartum period (Article) (Open Access)

Almeida L.M. , Costa-Santos C. , Caldas J.P. , Dias S. , Ayres-de-Campos D.
  • a Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia. Centro Hospitalar de São João. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto, Brasil, Portugal
  • b Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia. Centro Hospitalar de São João. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto, Brasil, Portugal
  • c Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia. Centro Hospitalar de São João. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto, Brasil, Portugal
  • d Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia. Centro Hospitalar de São João. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto, Brasil, Portugal
  • e Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia. Centro Hospitalar de São João. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto, Brasil, Portugal

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of I mmigration on the psychological health of women after childbirth.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, immigrant and Portuguese-native women delivering in the four public hospitals of the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal, were contacted by telephone between February and December 2012 during the first postpartum month to schedule a home visit and fill in a questionnaire. Most immigrant (76.1%) and Portuguese mothers (80.0%) agreed to participate and with the visits, thus a total of 89 immigrants and 188 Portuguese women were included in the study. The questionnaire included the application of four validated scales: Mental Health Inventory-5, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Scale of Satisfaction with Social Support. Statistical analysis included t-test and Chi-square or Fisher's test, and logistic regression models.RESULTS: Immigrants had an increased risk of postpartum depression (OR = 6.444, 95%CI 1.858-22.344), and of low satisfaction with social support (OR = 6.118, 95%CI 1.991-18.798). We did not perceive any associations between migrant state, perceived stress, and impoverished mental health.CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant mothers have increased vulnerabilities in the postpartum period, resulting in an increased risk of postpartum depression and lesser satisfaction with the received social support.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Europe, Eastern health promotion Portugal human Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group Eastern Europe social support procedures Cross-Sectional Studies interview cross-sectional study migrant psychology Humans Interviews as Topic Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor Risk Factors socioeconomics Mothers women's health mother Brazil Depression, Postpartum Postpartum Period puerperium
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85020323958&doi=10.1590%2fS1518-8787.2016050005617&partnerID=40&md5=451787841b1d65ea5ff15e0c8a749764
DOI: 10.1590/S1518-8787.2016050005617
ISSN: 15188787
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English