How Education Level Affects Risk of Post-Partum Depression: A Comparison Before and During Covid-19

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between education level
and risk of postnatal depression before and during the Covid-19 pandemic in a sample of
gestational parents in Northern Italy. In this case-control study, two groups were
compared: the pre and mid- Covid-19 pandemic period groups. Mothers included gave birth
between January 2018 and October 2020 and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale (EPDS) within two days of delivery. Before administering the
questionnaire, the sociodemographic and labor and delivery characteristics were collected
through a brief anamnestic interview. The analyses based on the EPDS outcomes show a
significant increase in the risk of developing postpartum depression in women who have
given birth during the pandemic period. Additionally, a higher education level may be an
overall protective factor against the development of depressive symptoms, especially in the
Covid period.