Frequency and determinants of postpartum depression.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the frequency of postpartum depression in new mothers at a tertiary care hospital in Faisalabad and identify the factors associated with the condition. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: Over a period of three months from February 2018 to May 2018. Material & Methods: Included 213 subjects selected through nonprobability purposive sampling patients who had given birth in the last six months were included in the study. The Punjabi version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess for depression. Socio-demographic and medical information was collected on a pre-designed proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Chi square test was applied to ascertain association. Results: Out of the total 213 participants, 33.8% (n=72) of the study sample were suffering from postnatal depression. The socio-demographic profile of the depressed patients showed that most of them were uneducated (84.72%), housewives (77.78%) living with extended families (68.06%). The difference in the number of depressed women among extended and nuclear families was found to be statistically significant (p-value of 0.004). The study also showed that women suffering from postpartum depression were less likely to breastfeed their babies (p-value 0.046). Conclusion: Postpartum depression was identified in more than one thirds of the females included in this study. This high number should raise an alarm for all health professionals. Detection through mandatory screening and early intervention can prevent the adverse consequences this disorder carries for the mother and the child.