Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Women in Post-Natal Period

Abstract

Objective: To assess and evaluate the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors affecting the women in post-natal period. Material and Methods: Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey from February 2023-July, 2023 at the Department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital Lahore and 101 women fulfilling various diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder in post-natal period were included in the study. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the “City Birth Trauma Scale” (CBTS) questionnaire including various stratification of events. SPSS 27.0 software was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed the possible outcome of several factors such as mode of delivery, family system, support and terms with partner or any previous psychiatric illness/PTSD or PTSD following child birth. Women with partner support had a significantly lower incidence of distress & impairment symptoms (33.3%) compared to those without support (81.8%) as p<.05. Conclusion: Our study depicted statistically significant link between PTSD criteria for distress and impairment and partner support and good terms with partner. Given that, partner support ought to be more than what is provided to lower the incidence of PTSD in women following child birth.