Common perinatal mental disorders and alcohol dependence in men in northern Viet Nam

Background: To establish the prevalence and correlates of the perinatal common mental disorders of depression and anxiety (PCMD) and alcohol dependence (AD) in men in northern Viet Nam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of men whose wives were >28 weeks pregnant or mothers of newborns recruited from randomly-selected rural and urban communes. Data sources were Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM IV; CAGE assessment of alcohol use and study-specific questionnaires. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated by multiple logistic regressions.

Results: Overall, 231/360 eligible men were recruited, of whom 17.7% [95% CI, 12.8– 22.7] were diagnosed with a PCMD; 33.8% [95% CI, 27.9 –40.1] with AD (CAGE score ≥ 2) and 6.9% [95% CI, 4.3–11.0] with co-morbid PCMD and AD. PCMD were associated with experiences of coincidental life adversity, intimate partner violence, age>30; an unwelcome pregnancy and primiparity. AD was more common among men with low education, living in the poorest households and in unskilled work.

Conclusions: Common mental disorders and AD are prevalent, but currently unrecognised among men in northern Viet Nam whose wives are pregnant or have recently given birth