ISSN No. 2079-8547 (Recognized by PMDC)
FREQUENCY AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS FOR POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency and risk factors of postnatal depression in women delivered at a tertiary care
hospital.
Study design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan,
from Aug 2014 to Feb 2015.
Materials and Methods: Post natal women were screened for postpartum depression from 3rd to 42nd postpartum
days using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Patients with severe medical disorders were excluded from study.
Results: A total of 110 women were screened. Out of this sample size 45(40%) women suffered from postpartum depression
using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The age range of participants was 19 to 44 years. Postpartum
depression was more frequent among women who had history of past depression (p=.005), who underwent stressful
life event during pregnancy (p=.007), and was least in women who breast fed their infants. No significant association
was found for other variables like age, education, occupation, socio-economic status of women. Similarly no association
was found with mode of delivery, intra-partum complications, gestational age (GA), planning of pregnancy, newborn
status and sex at delivery.
Key words: Postpartum depression. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale.