Postpartum Depression and its Risk Factors among Indian Women

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. The ill effects of PPD include maladaptive mother-infant interactions, negative effect on cognitive and behavioural development of infants. There are wide variations in reported prevalence of PPD ranging from 0.5 percent to 60 percent among various countries as estimated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). PPD screening is not a routine part of postpartum care in India and postpartum women suffering from PPD may remain largely unrecognized and untreated. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and its risk factors in postpartum women attending well-baby clinic at 6 weeks postpartum at a tertiary hospital in India. A total of 284 women who came for immunisation of their babies in well baby clinic at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum were assessed for PPD using the EPDS, after taking consent. Ethical approval was taken from the ethics committee of the organisation. Demographic pro le was collected and women were assessed for risk factors of PPD using a self-developed performa. The point prevalence of PPD was 21.5 percent with a cut off EPDS score of 12 (mean=7.67±5.94). Presence of congenital malformation or neonatal morbidity, problems related to feeding, sleep, satisfaction with marital relationship, violence in the family, relationship with mother-in-law, and presence of stressor in the family were signi cantly associated with PPD. The study brings out the importance of screening for PPD at accessible points like well-baby clinic. Maternal health programmes need to address the mental wellbeing of postpartum women