The present study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of depression during pregnancy in Iran. In this study, heterogeneity was 99.7%. There are three categories for heterogeneity: below 25% (low heterogeneity), 25 - 75% (moderate heterogeneity), and over 75% (high heterogeneity) (
53,
54); therefore, the present study is in the high heterogeneity category and a random effects model was used in the meta-analysis. The overall and sub - grouped prevalence of depression in pregnant women were studied based on geographical regions, the used questionnaires and trimester of pregnancy. The overall prevalence of depression during pregnancy in Iran was 41.22%.
According to the systematic reviews and meta-analyses in other countries, the prevalence of depression has been reported to be 7.4% to 12% (
5,
56,
57), indicating that the prevalence of depression during pregnancy among pregnant Iranian women is higher than in other countries. This difference may be due to the lack of social support and the difference in addressing psychological problems during pregnancy besides the development of these countries in health services or in medical material compared to developing countries such as Iran. Moreover, according to a review article of 15 studies by Veisani and Sayehmiri (
58), the prevalence of postpartum depression in Iran was reported to be 28.7%, which is lower than the results of the present study. This indicates that the importance of depression in Iranian pregnant women during pregnancy is higher compared to postpartum depression. The American College of obstetricians and gynecologists suggests that screening for depression during pregnancy should also be considered potentially after the delivery (
59). The weak points of the study of Veisani and Sayehmiri (
58) compared to this study are the smaller sample size and non-random selection of samples in most studies that entered the meta-analysis process.
Several questionnaires including Beck, Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90R), Depression anxiety stress scales- 21 (DSSA21), GHQ, PHQ and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) were used in these studies and the prevalence of depression in pregnant women in Iran was reported to be 10% - 89%. Possibly the most obvious cause of this difference is the diversity of diagnostic tools used in the studies. For example, in the study of Moshki et al. (
24), who used EPSS questionnaire to assess depression, 30% depression was reported. Bondad et al. (
17) estimated the prevalence of depression to be 58% with the Beck questionnaire. That is why a subgroup based on the diagnostic tool was also analyzed and it was found that most studies (57.5%) used Beck questionnaire and prevalence of depression during pregnancy in Iran, according to the Beck questionnaire was estimated to be 45.84%, and the overall estimate was not significant, while the test result for subgroup analysis according to questionnaires was significant.
The prevalence of depression in term of intensity during pregnancy was estimated to be 23.71%, 10.67%, and 4.30% for mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively, while the highest prevalence of depression was in the mild range. This suggests that clinical and psychological programs and treatments can prevent the development of depression in pregnant women and thus prevent fetal and maternal complications of depression.
In the present study, the prevalence of depression in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy was 50.52%, 44.96%, and 48.33%, respectively. A review article by Bennett et al. (
56) reported the prevalence of depression in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy to be 7.4%, 12.8%, and 12%, respectively, which is much lower than our results. Experiences of women in any trimester of pregnancy are based on their individual experiences. The first, second, and third trimesters are respectively the stage of pregnancy admission process with ambivalent feelings (pleasure and hate) about the fetus, embryo adoption stage with a primary focus on the fetus, narcissism and depression, and finally, the preparation stage of pregnancy associated with increasing dependence of pregnant women to people around them (
60).
The most comprehensive study in terms of sample size and methodology is related to a study by Najafi and Kiani (
19), in Tehran among 2,721 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, reporting the prevalence of depression during pregnancy as 50.7%. This finding is consistent with our estimates.
4.1. Study Limitation
1) National databases did not provide the possibility for a combined search.
2) Blood and hormonal risk factors were not considered in any of the studies.
3) There were no study to check job satisfaction, pregnancy satisfaction, etc which can effect depression among women in pregnancy.
Considering the prevalence of depression in this study and the importance of maternal and fetal complications before and after birth, identification and treatment of depression seem essential. Hence, it is recommended that medical policy-makers design and implement plans for improving the mental health in pregnant Iranian women.