Association between disrespect and abuse during labor and the risk of postpartum depression: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to analyze the relationship tween disrespect and abuse during labor and risk of postpartum depression. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with women from rural and urban areas of Caxias, Maranh & atilde;o State, Brazil. Postpartum depression was considered dependent variable, assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. . The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, mental health history, behavioral aspects, obstetric characteristics and self-perception of disrespect and abuse during labor. Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to sess the association between postpartum depression and disrespect and abuse during labor. A total 190 women were interviewed. The prevalence postpartum depression was 16.3%. The occurrence of at least one type of disrespect and abuse during labor was 97.4%, with health system conditions and restrictions predominating (94.7%). More than half of the women (66.3%) suffered two forms of disrespect and abuse during labor, while three more forms were reported by 22.6%. Suffering two ( adjusted OR = 3.01; 95%CI 1.08-8.33) and three more forms of disrespect and abuse during labor ( adjusted OR = 3.41; 95%CI: 1.68-24.40) increased the chance of postpartum depression. There was a significant association between disrespect and abuse during labor and postpartum depression, and dignified and respectful care for women during childbirth were found to reduce the risk postpartum depression symptoms.