Postpartum depression: prevalence and determinants in Lebanon

Abstract

This study assesses the prevalence and determinants of postpartum depression (PPD). 396 women delivering in Beirut and a rural area (Beka'a Valley) were interviewed 24 hours and 3-5 months after delivery. During the latter visit, they were screened using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. The overall prevalence of PPD was 21% but was significantly lower in Beirut than the Beka'a Valley (16% vs. 26%). Lack of social support and prenatal depression were significantly associated with PPD in both areas, whereas stressful life events, lifetime depression, vaginal delivery, little education, unemployment, and chronic health problems were significantly related to PPD in one of the areas. Prenatal depression and more than one chronic health problem increased significantly the risk of PPD. Caesarean section decreased the risk of PPD, particularly in Beirut but also in the Beka'a Valley. Caregivers should use pre- and postnatal assessments to identify and address women at risk of PPD.

Postpartum Depression in North Indian Women: Prevalence and Risk Factors

“…These risk factors are likely to be interactive as well as multiplicative in effect. These findings are consistent with findings of previous studies such as poverty, [9] low level of education [14], more than one girl child [11], pressure and desire for a male child, high adverse life events score [8], previous psychiatric disorder [15], poor spousal relation [16], and poor support from the family [8] have been implicated as risk factors, although few studies have denied one or more of these factors as significant factors [17]. The study conducted in Chennai also indicated that PPD was significantly more in women who had unskilled husbands and had nonarranged marriages.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression in Middle Eastern/Arab Women

“…Depressive mothers reported a history of psychiatric illness during pregnancy (Abou-Saleh & Ghubash, 1997;Chaaya et al, 2002;Eilat-Tsanani et al, 2006;Hamdan & Tamim, 2011;Inandia et al, 2002;Kheirabadi et al, 2009;Mohamed et al, 2011). Kheirabadi et al (2009) reported a 35.8% prevalence rate of severe depression (based on BDI score) in women with a previous history of depression.…”

“…This is consistent with a review of the literature conducted by Alici-Evcimen and Sudak (2003) in the United States. In addition, a history of chronic health problems and a lack of antenatal care are reported (Chaaya et al, 2002;Eilat-Tsanani et al, 2006;Glasser et al 2011;Rizk et al, 2005). In a study on PPD, Jordanian women also indicated that PPD had a negative physical effect on them (Khalaf, Abu-Moghli, Mahadeen, Callister, & Al-Hadidi, 2007) and presented somatic symptoms including backache, headache, and fatigue as major complaints (Rouhi, Usefi, & Mohamad Alizade, 2009).…”

Evaluation of Effective Factors and its Prevalence on Postpartum Depression Among Women in the City of Qom, Iran

“…Results in these studies showed that childbirth with C-section surgery increased the possibility of depression. While results of study by Chaaya et al (57) showed that depression is lower among mothers with C-section surgery than mothers with natural childbirth. Carter et al (58) also investigated the results of depression and postpartum depression reported in 24 studies; there was a relationship between these two factors in 5 articles, while in 15 studies, no relationship was observed between the two factors.…”