The Relationship Between Depression and Sleep Quality in Iranian Pregnant Women

Many anatomic and physiologic changes occur in women’s bodies during pregnancy that make them vulnerable both physically and mentally. Depression is a common disorder that can be accompanied with obstetric, neonatal and postnatal complications. This study aimed to determine the relationship between depression and sleep quality among pregnant women in Tabriz-Iran, 2014.
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 565 pregnant women who referred to Tabriz health centers by 2-stage cluster sampling. The data were collected using socio-demographic questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). General linear model was used in order to estimate the effect of independent variables (sleep quality and socio-demographic characteristics) on dependent variable (depression).
The mean (SD) of sleep quality score was 3.6 (1.4) from possible score range of 0-21 and the mean (SD) of depression score was 4.7 (3.7) from attainable score of 0-30. A significant correlation was found between depression score and total score of sleep quality and all its sub-domains except delay in sleeping. Also, according to adjusted general linear model, the variables of sleep quality, age, marital relationship, satisfaction of husband job, place of residence and place of receiving prenatal care were predictors of depression.
Considering that the relationship between depression and sleep quality in pregnant women and also maternal and neonatal complications of depression, sleep hygiene education will be necessary in order to improve the quality and quantity of mothers sleep.