Depresión y Calidad de Vida en Mujeres en etapa prenatal y postnatal en Cuenca-Ecuador

Abstract

Depression during pregnancy and postpartum is a public health problem that can significantly affect the quality of life of women during the prenatal and postnatal periods. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and quality of life and health satisfaction in women during the prenatal and postnatal periods in Cuenca, Ecuador. This is a quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the two general questions of the WHOQOL-BREF. The sample consisted of 230 women, 72.2% prenatally and 27.8% postnatally, who were patients at the José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital during 2025. The results show that, during the prenatal period, a greater presence of depressive symptoms was associated with a lower perception of quality of life (r = -0.394; p = 0.000) and lower health satisfaction (r = -0.259; p = 0.001). In the postnatal period, no significant relationship was found between the main variables. The findings suggest that the postnatal period is a time of heightened emotional sensitivity and that certain sociodemographic factors increase vulnerability to psychological distress. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen early detection and emotional support programs, especially those aimed at women at social risk or with a history of psychological problems.