Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the mental health complications that may arise following childbirth. This cross-sectional study explores the association between socioeconomic factors and PPD literacy with PPD incidence in 350 participants (mean age: 30.58±4.72 years) at one to six months postpartum, who attended the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic from May to October 2020. PPD incidence and literacy were assessed using the validated Malay versions of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS), respectively. The participants' socioeconomic characteristics were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square tests were performed to determine the association between these factors and PPD incidence. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratios (OR). The incidence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 14.29%. Those with low household income were twice likely to have PPD symptoms (OR:2.58, 95% CI:1.23-5.19; p = 0.01) than those with higher incomes. Unemployment (i.e., participants who were housewives/homemakers) was associated with higher PPD incidence (Χ2(2, 350) = 6.97, p = 0.03), but it was not a significant PPD predictor. In conclusion, PPD incidence in the sample of Kuala Lumpur postpartum mothers is significantly associated with low household income. Other socioeconomic characteristics, including PPD literacy, were not significant predictors of PPD incidence.
Highlights
Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the mental health complications that may arise following childbirth
We found a higher incidence of postpartum depression among postpartum mothers who were unemployed than those in employment
Our results suggest that our sample of postpartum mothers were aware of PPD, regardless of whether they had PPD symptoms or not
Summary
This cross-sectional study involved postpartum women attending the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic for their scheduled infant’s immunization and routine examination. Women who attended the clinic between one to six months postpartum were invited to participate in this study. Postpartum depression incidence and predictors criteria included age 18 years and older and able to speak, read, and write in Malay or English. Those who were deemed unwell to participate, as advised by health professionals, were excluded. N, is calculated with the formula n 1⁄4 z2pq=d2 where z = 1.96, p = 22.8% which is the published prevalence of postpartum depression in Malaysia [8], q = 1—p and d = 0.05. Taking possible dropouts into account, the final sample size for this study was 350
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