Prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Review objectives What is the prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia? Searches Searches were conducted on databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Global Health, Bangladesh Journals OnLine, Indian Citation Index, Index Medicus for South-East Asia Region (IMSEAR), LILACS, Nepal Journals OnLine, PakMediNet, libraries of the authors’ institutions and online resources such as Google Scholar. Reference lists of relevant primary studies and reviews identified in database searches were scrutinised. Key international as well as regional journals in South Asia in the field of maternal health and psychiatry were hand-searched. A combination of text words were used covering the target population and outcome elements such as (“antenatal” OR “prenatal” OR “perinatal” OR “maternal” OR “pregnancy” OR “antepartum”) AND (“depression” OR “mood disorders”) AND (“South Asia” OR “Afghanistan” OR “Bangladesh” OR “Bhutan” OR “India” OR “Maldives” OR “Nepal” OR “Pakistan” OR “Sri Lanka”). Study design Published quantitative studies conducted in South Asian countries will be included. Editorials, comments, letters or discussion papers will be excluded.