Symptoms of Depression in a Minority Population of Women from an Urban Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

ObjectiveThe aim of this exploratory study was to determine and compare the rates of depressive symptoms across 3 groups of African-American and Hispanic pregnant, postpartum, and nonperipartum gynecology patients in a hospital-based urban outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinic.MethodSeventy-eight subjects were recruited from the outpatient department of an inner city hospital. Each subject completed the Beck Depression Inventory.ResultsRates of depressive symptoms were high in all groups. Results, although not significant, indicated a worsening depression in the nonperipartum gynecology group compared with that in the obstetric sample. Affective components of the Beck Depression Inventory were significantly higher in the gynecology group than in the peripartum groups.ConclusionWe have identified an important clinical population of nonperipartum gynecology patients in need of diagnosis and treatment. Early identification of depression in women is an important strategy in which primary health workers have an important role.