Mental disorders in a sample of pregnant women receiving primary health care in southern Brazil

Para determinar a prevalência de prováveis transtornos psiquiátricos durante a gravidez e os fatores sociodemográficos associados, utilizou-se o instrumento PRIME-MD, em 712 gestantes (16o a 36o semanas), de 18 unidades básicas de saúde no sul do Brasil. A prevalência de um provável transtorno mental foi de 41,7%. O transtorno depressivo maior (21,6%) foi o mais prevalente, seguido pelo Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada (19,8%). Os fatores que mostraram significância com um provável transtorno mental foram: não trabalhar nem estudar RP = 1,25 (IC95%: 1,04-1,51), não morar com o companheiro RP = 1,24 (IC95%: 1,01-1,52), e ter dois ou mais filhos RP = 1,21 (IC95%: 1,01-1,46). Houve uma alta prevalência de provável transtorno mental. No período de pré-natal ocorre uma maior frequência de consultas que pode propiciar o rastreamento, o diagnóstico e as abordagens terapêuticas adequadas dos transtornos mentais na rede básica de saúde.The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of probable psychiatric disorders diagnosed during pregnancy and related sociodemographic causative factors among 712 women between the 16th and 36th week of pregnancy receiving prenatal care in 18 basic health units in Porto Alegre and Bento Gonçalves in southern Brazil. PRIMEMD was used to assess mental disorders. The prevalence of probable mental disorder occurred in 41.7% of the women. The most prevalent diagnosis was major depressive disorder (21.6%), followed by generalized anxiety disorder (19.8%). A multivariate analysis showed that the factors most significantly associated with a probable psychiatric disorder were: the fact that the pregnant woman did not work or study: PR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.04-1.51);the fact that the pregnant woman did not live with her spouse: PR = 1.24 (95%CI: 1.01- 1.52);the fact that the pregnant woman had two or more children: PR = 1.21 (95%CI: 1.01-1.46). A high prevalence of probable mental disorder was observed. The increased search for health care by pregnant women provides an opportunity for screening, diagnosing and treating these disorders under the primary health care system