Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To identify, in the scientific literature, the prevalence of postpartum depression symptomatology in Brazil and its associated risk factors, aiming to support preventive actions and early interventions. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, BDENF, MEDLINE, and SciELO databases between May and June 2025, guided by the methodological framework proposed by Whittemore and Knafl. Articles published between 2021 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in full text, were included. Theses, dissertations, conference proceedings, and studies not aligned with the research objective were excluded. The final sample comprised nine studies. Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression ranged from 19.7% to 60.3%, with a mean of 26.8% among studies conducted outside the pandemic context, exceeding the global rate of 17,2%. The main risk factors were a history of mental disorders, lack of social support, low socioeconomic status, low educational level, violence during pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancy. Studies conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic reported the highest prevalence rates. Final considerations: Findings indicated a high prevalence of postpartum depression symptomatology in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of early screening in primary health care settings. Limitations include the predominance of cross-sectional studies and the concentration of research in the Southeast and South regions of the country.