FATORES ASSOCIADOS AOS SINTOMAS SUGESTIVOS DE DEPRESSÃO PÓS-PARTO EM PUÉRPERAS: UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Introduction: The puerperal period is marked by intense biological, emotional, and social adaptations, making women more susceptible to the development of mental health changes, including postpartum depression. Early identification of factors associated with suggestive symptoms of this disorder is fundamental to support screening, prevention, and promotion strategies for maternal mental health. Objective: To analyze the factors associated with suggestive symptoms of postpartum depression in postpartum women residing in the municipality of Itaporanga, Paraíba. Method: This was an observational, cross-sectional, exploratory study with a quantitative approach, conducted with 28 postpartum women followed by health services in the municipality of Itaporanga-PB. Data collection was performed through individual interviews, with retrospective retrieval of some information regarding the gestational period, using a sociodemographic form and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22, through descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: A prevalence of 28.6% of positive screening for suggestive symptoms of postpartum depression was observed. There was a statistically significant association between higher EPDS scores and the interruption of cohabitation with the newborn's father (p = 0.014). A statistically significant difference was also observed between scores according to the practice of physical activity during pregnancy (p = 0.027), a result interpreted as an exploratory finding, not allowing to infer a protective or risk effect of this practice. No statistically significant associations were identified between maternal age, education, or functional status and EPDS scores. Conclusion: The study identified a high frequency of positive screening for suggestive symptoms of postpartum depression and highlighted the relevance of family and marital support for maternal mental health. The results reinforce the importance of systematic screening during prenatal and postpartum care, especially in Primary Health Care. Considering the cross-sectional design and the reduced sample size, the findings should be interpreted as exploratory evidence, and studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the observed associations.