Prevalence of antenatal depression and postpartum depression among Chinese fathers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Paternal antenatal depression and postpartum depression are associated with adverse health outcomes in mothers and infants; however, their prevalence among Chinese fathers remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the prevalence of antenatal depression and postpartum depression in Chinese fathers. We conducted a systematic meta-analysis on the prevalence of antenatal depression and postpartum depression among Chinese fathers by searching 11 databases. Pooled estimates and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. The choice between a random-effects model and a fixed-effects model was based on an assessment of heterogeneity among the studies as well as assumptions regarding the similarity of the studies in terms of clinical characteristics, quality, design, and conduct. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted based on the scale used to measure antenatal depression and postpartum depression, the region where the study was completed, the time of the study, the study design, the number of children, publication language, the study site, and quality assessment. This meta-analysis included 28 studies with 8795 participants. The prevalence of antenatal depression among Chinese fathers was 11 % (95 % CI: 5%–17 %, P