A STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AT TERTIARY HOSPITAL, WEST BENGAL.

Abstract

The investigators assessed the prevalence of Postpartum Depression (PPD), its clinical features and relationship of PPD with socio-demographical and obstetrical factors. The samples were selected from the OPD and IPD, of a Medical college in Kolkata.. Observational study was performed on 500(N=500) postpartum mothers who were selected by using Simple Random Sampling Technique within the six weeks of postpartum period. Data were collected by using the Structured Questionnaire for background information, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Bengali Version of EPDS) for postpartum depression. Data analysis was performed using Descriptive Statistics, Chi-square, Logistic Regression and Decision Tree. A total of 112 (Prevalence Rate 22.4%) postpartum mothers had PPD. Stepwise logistic regression model correctly classied 92.2% of women who developed PPD. Using logistic regression model, postpartum depression is best predicted by: No. of Postpartum days p< 0.001***, Age of the mother p<0.024**, Religion p<0.003**, Type of family p<0.020**, Education of the mother p<0.001***, Monthly Income of the family p<0.001***, No of other living children p<0.001***, Pregnancy outcome p<0.033**, Any complication during pregnancy / delivery/ postpartum p< 0.001*** and Problems with family members p< 0.001***. The study recommends that evaluation should be carried out for Postpartum Depression and its risk factors to prevent and treat PPD in a timely manner.