Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (Jul 2023)

Perceptions regarding child care and perinatal depression during COVID-19 pandemic – A cross-sectional community-based survey from Uttar Pradesh

  • Manoj Prithviraj,
  • Mahima Mittal,
  • Pradip Kharya,
  • Hari Shanker Joshi,
  • Anchala Bhardwaj

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2431_22
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 7
pp. 1417 – 1423

Abstract

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Background: High levels of stress among pregnant women have been reported during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of various infection-related and lockdown measures. Concerns about safe delivery, breastfeeding, and child care may increase the risk of depression in vulnerable women during the perinatal period. Aim: To study the perceptions regarding child care and prevalence of perinatal depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 750 lactating mothers post delivery between September 2020 and February 2021 in 51 districts of Uttar Pradesh. A convenient purposive sampling technique was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic details and perceptions regarding child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessment of depression symptoms was performed with the help of patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Results: A total of 440 participants were suffering from some form of depression symptoms; the majority had mild depression. Depression was found to be higher among homemakers and young mothers (age <25 years). Depression was found in more than 40% of the respondents who felt fear of COVID infection during breast feeding and hospital stay. Similarly, more than 50% of the respondents who feared unavailability of timely health services and social ignorance had depression. More than 60% of the mothers who did not have any knowledge about safe breast-feeding and child care practices had some form of depression, and the results were statistically significant. Conclusions: Perinatal depression is highly prevalent during the ongoing pandemic. Hence, regular screening, psychoeducation, awareness regarding safe breast feeding, and child care practices are recommended.

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