A study on prevalence of post-partum depression and its associated risk factors

Abstract

Introduction: Postnatal depression (PND) is a common psychiatric disorder and is considered a serious public health issue. It is diagnosed in about 50% of the women during first year after delivery. Objective: To assess the prevalence of PND and study the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in government Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital in Khammam, Telangana from September 2016 to March 2017. A total of 150 women after delivery were included in the study. A semi structured proforma for socio-demographic details and the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening for depressive symptoms were used to collect data from women between 1st and 8th postpartum weeks. Institutes ethics committee approval was taken and consent taken from study participants. Results: Prevalence of PND was 24%. PND showed significant association with primiparous women, husband’s occupation, unplanned pregnancy and women who preferred male child but gave birth to a female child. Conclusion: PND screening should be an integral part of postnatal care, so that they are counseled early, thereby preventing future complications.

Keywords

• postnatal dépression (pnd)
• edinburg postnatal depression scale (epds)
• postpartum