SCREENING FOR POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION USING EDINBURGH SCALE IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE.

Abstract

AIM:To determine the need to screen post-partum women for post-partum depression using 10 item-EPDS score. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS) score of ≥ 13 in postpartum women and to evaluate the association of different sociodemographic and obstetric factors with post-partum depression. MATERIAL AND METHODS : All females delivered at Sharda hospital during the study period of 90 days were recruited for the research after looking for exclusion criteria and obtaining written and informed consent. They were screened using 10 item EPDS score questionnaire and score was given accordingly after third postpartum day. STUDY DESIGN : Prospective observational study. RESULTS : Prevalence in our study population was found to be in the range that is seen across the globe. Most of the women with EPDS score of ≥ 13 belonged to age group of 20-35 years, were from urban sectors, had female child and delivered by caesarean section. Intra-uetrine death and preeeclampsia were among high risk factors which had signicant association with post-partum depression. CONCLUSION: Routine screening for post-partum depression has signicant impact on improving mental health of postpartum females by early diagnosis and prompt treatment of any underlying psychiatric illness.. This improves the postpartum health of a female and ultimately helps to improve the infants well-being.