Postpartum depression and its correlates: a cross-sectional study in southeast Iran

Abstract

Background Postpartum depression has a negative impact on both infants and women. This study aimed to determine the correlates of postpartum depression in women in southern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 186 mothers who had recently given birth to a baby. Data were collected using the demographic form, Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 items (DASS-21) 3 days after delivery and EPDS and DASS-21 6 months after childbirth. Results Postpartum depression (PPD) was 24.2% and 3.2% 3 days and 6 months after delivery, respectively. Anxiety, Prenatal Care Quality and educational level predicted 34.0% of the variance of PPD 3 days after delivery (R2 = 34.0%). Anxiety, type of delivery, and stress predicted 24% of the variance of PPD 6 months after delivery (R2 = 24.0%). Conclusions With an increase in stress and anxiety and a reduction in the quality of prenatal care, the risk of postpartum depression increases. Therefore, attention to the quality of prenatal care and postpartum stress and anxiety should be carefully evaluated to prevent PPD. Psychological support and interventions are recommended to promote the mental health of women before and after childbirth.

Postpartum depression and its relationship with the positive and negative perfectionism

“…In Asian countries, the prevalence of this disorder ranges from 7 to 33%. [ 28 ] Afshari et al . (2019) also reported the prevalence of PPD in Iran (Ahvaz City) as 38.8% from 2 weeks to 6 months after delivery.…”

“…(2022) in a cross-sectional study among Iranian women reported the prevalence of depression 3 days and 6 months after giving birth to be 24.2% and 3.2%, respectively. [ 28 ] So, the more days pass after childbirth, the prevalence of depression decreases significantly. However, in another study (2020) that investigated the prevalence of PPD in one of the cities of Iran (Natanz), the overall prevalence of PPD during two weeks to two months after delivery was reported as 7.1%.…”

“…[ 5 ] The large variation in the prevalence of PPD in studies can have various reasons, including cultural differences, differences in study time, PPD assessment method, cutoff point for the score obtained from the questionnaire, sample size, and research method. [ 28 ] The present study investigated PPD in women using the EDPS and a cutoff point of 10. Therefore, one of the reasons for the high prevalence of PPD in the present study may be its cutoff point because some studies have considered a higher cutoff point (cutoff point: 13) for PPD.…”

“…Therefore, one of the reasons for the high prevalence of PPD in the present study may be its cutoff point because some studies have considered a higher cutoff point (cutoff point: 13) for PPD. [ 28 30 ] Regardless of these cases, in general, PPD seems to have a high prevalence in Iran. Habibzadeh (2016) also reported the prevalence of PPD in this city as 40.83% in a cross-sectional study they conducted in Qom.…”

Reproductive behaviors, socioeconomic status and risk for postpartum depression: A Mendelian randomization study

“…Li and colleagues found a positive association between the number of full-term pregnancies and the prevalence of depression, while other studies have found no signi cant difference in the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) based on the number of previous live births (15)(16). In addition, previous studies have also pointed out that the socioeconomic level of the mother, especially the low level of education and poor economic status, as factors related to PPD (17)(18) (19). As mentioned above, numerous studies have examined the association between RB/SES and the risk of postpartum depression.…”