The prevalence rate and the risk factors of paternal depression among Japanese fathers

本研究的主要目的是确定母亲和父亲在产前和产后抑郁症的患病率。研究参与者是268名孕妇和他们的262名合作伙伴。所有参与者均在向日本爱知县西尾市的健康中心提交妊娠通知表的过程中招募。招募于2012年12月至2013年7月期间进行。在妊娠20周、3-5天、产后2周、1个月、2个月、3个月的时间段内通过自填式问卷收集数据，爱丁堡产后抑郁量表（EPDS）评分≥ 8分的日本男性在产前为9.1%，产后几天为8.1%，产后2周为3.4%，分娩后1个月为5.8%，2个月为8.5%，3个月为7.1%。这项研究表明，日本父亲在产前和产后都有患抑郁症等精神问题的风险。

The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of maternal and paternal depression at prenatal and postnatal periods.The study participants were 268 pregnant women and their 262 partners. All participants were recruited during their submission procedure of pregnancy notification form to health centers in Nishio city, Aichi prefecture, Japan. Recruitment took place between Dec 2012 and Jul 2013. Data were collected via self-administrated questionnaire at the periods of 20 weeks of gestation, 3-5 days, 2weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after the delivery.Japanese men who have rated as cut-off score of 8 or more on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were 9.1% at prenatal period, 8.1% at few days, 3.4% at 2 weeks, 5.8% at 1 month, 8.5% at 2 months, and 7.1% at 3 months after the delivery. This study showed Japanese fathers are at risk of mental problem including depression in the prenatal and postnatal period.