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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study compared a group of women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic with a group of women who gave birth in the antecedent period, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) questionnaire. The results show a significant increase in the risk of developing postpartum depression and an increase in the use of epidurals in women who have given birth during the pandemic period. These findings are indicative of the impact the pandemic has also had on the childbirth experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the psychological well-being of healthcare workers in the North-East of Italy. Methods: The research is a multi-center study conducted in different locations of the ULSS 9 Scaligera in Verona during the period of April-June 2020. The levels of psychological distress of the medical staff were measured by administering the General Health Questionnaire 12. The healthcare workers were employed both in departments in direct contact with Covid patients (area Covid+ group), and in Covid-free departments (area No-Covid group). Results: The overall sample is made up of 149 participants (123 women and 26 men) as follows: 97 employees from the Covid + areas and 52 employees from the No-Covid areas. Overall, the health care workers reported to the G.H.Q. 12, an average score of 16.40 (± 7.12) equivalent to a level of “evident discomfort”. Considering the areas, it emerged that the participants in the No-Covid area reported higher levels of distress (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The covid-19 pandemic appears to have had a major impact on the psychological health of healthcare professionals, regardless of the department they worked in. It is hoped that more precautionary measures and clearer protocols will be adopted, in order to increase the perception of safety of employees, a determining factor for their psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]