Postpartum Depression : Prevalence And Its Risk Factors In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Northern India

• Monika Dalal,  
• Pushpa Dahiya,*  
• Purushottam Jangid,  
• Shuchita Dahiya,  
• Jagjit Singh Dalal,  
• Savita Rani Singhal

Abstract

Background: Post partum depression (PPD) is a common non psychotic mood disorder that can begin any time after conception till postpartum period, generally observed within 2-6 weeks of delivery and possible as late as 30 weeks postpartum. Objective : This study purports to know the prevalence of depression in postpartum women in a tertiary care hospital in northern India and to evaluate different risk factors associated with PPD. Material and Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 postpartum women who came to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department (outpatient) ranging from 2 to 6 weeks of postpartum period over a period of one year. Women with cognitive dysfunction, women who did not want to participate and postpartum thyroiditis were excluded from the study. Data was collected using pre-developed, pretested and validated Hindi version of Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Results: In our study, the prevalence of PPD was found to be 8%. Socio demographic factors such as birth of the baby girl, pregnancy related complications and factors related to adverse life events and domestic abuse, non-availability of family support during pregnancy and delivery found to be significant to the development of PPD. Conclusion: Post partum depression is a major health problem and its impact is significant not only to the mother but also to the baby. Hence, we recommend screening of PPD in our population specially for the women in these risk groups as they could benefit from screening for the presence of PPD.

Keywords

postpartum, depression, pregnancy, delivery