Factors associated with depression during pregnancy in women from a low socioeconomic level: A hierarchical model approach

•This is a cross sectional study of depression in pregnant women of low socioeconomic level•Using a cut-off point of 10 or more in the EPDS, half of participans reported symptoms of depression•Using the MINI, 23% of pregnant women were diagnosed with affective disorders•Almost half of them with a unipolar disorder, and the other half with bipolar disorder.•Personal and family history of depression were the main risk factors associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and affective disorders during pregnancy in a maternity hospital in Argentina and to explore potential risk factors. Symptoms of depression were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for diagnosis at mid-pregnancy. 50.7%, 95% CI: 43.7; 57.8 screened positive using a score ≥ 10 and 23% of pregnant women were diagnosed with affective disorders, 11% unipolar, and 12% bipolar. Personal and family depression history were main risk factors. It is advised to routinely screen for depression during pregnancy.