The neglect of male post-partum depression in Pakistan

Abstract

Post-partum depression is a mood disorder that can happen in mothers and fathers after childbirth. The disorder usually begins in the initial weeks after birth and can last for a year.1 Research on paternal post-partum depression is scarce, but its overall prevalence is estimated to be 8·7% in the first year, with the highest prevalence reported between 3 and 6 months after childbirth (9·2%).2 Pakistan, which has a population of more than 220 million people, has one of the highest estimates of maternal post-partum depression in Asian countries.