Postpartum Depression and Role of Social Demographic and Obstetric Factors

Objective: To determine the prevalence and psycho-socio-demographic predictors of postpartum depression. Design: Hospital based descriptive observational prospective study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Population: Day 2 postpartum women. Method: 800 women were selected randomly and divided into two groups. Group A consisted of women delivered by caesarean section and group B of women delivered vaginally. These women were screened with Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and were evaluated. Result: Out of total, 22.5 % women in group A and 21.5% in group B were found to be depressed (overall incidence being 22%). In group A the main reason for depression was poor health or death of the child( 58.14%). They were of age group 20-24 years (57.14%), para 2 (57.14%) and belonged to upper-lower socio-economic status (53.57%). In group B the reason was sex of the child (54.44%). They were of age group 25-29 years (75%), para 3 (75%) and belonged to upperlower socio-economic status (75%). The history of depression in the family was not known to the women in both the groups. Conclusion: Rate of postpartum depression is high. The causes can be multiple including ill health of the baby and mother, sex of the child, family problems in the form of poor marital relationship, low socioeconomic condition etc. Women should be screened and counseled during the antenatal and postnatal period. Family support should be encouraged.