Prevalence of Postpartum Depression in A Tertiary Health Care

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum Depression is an important public health problem in developing country like Nepal. Although prevalence of postpartum depression is high in our setting, it is most neglected area of mental health. These have negative consequences not only to mother but also to infant. Data related to postpartum depression in Nepal are limited, research in this particular field will contribute in knowing the gravity of the situation and helps to formulate the factor association to upcoming researchers. This research is done in order to find out the prevalence of postpartum depression.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, among total 348 postnatal mothers who were selected through convenient sampling technique. Validated Nepalese version of Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen depressive symptoms. Data was collected after receiving ethical approval letter. Data entry was done using SPSS version 20.
 Results: Out of total mothers, the prevalence of Postpartum Depression (PPD) was seen among 51 mothers (14.7%).
 Conclusions: Postpartum Depression being a common yet neglected area of maternal health in Nepal, should be detected in early stage. As, the study showed that about one sixth of mothers had postpartum depression, more focus should be given to maternal mental health.

Depression and Its Determinants among Postpartum Mothers Attending at Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi, Nepal

“…However several other studies such as study done in Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital, Nepal [ 9 ], Dhulikhel Hospital of Kavre district Nepal [ 34 ], Bharatpur metropolitan city Chitwan Nepal [ 5 ], and Southwest, Ethiopia [ 35 ] found higher proportion of the postpartum depression as compared to the current study. In contrast to this study, several other studies such as study conducted in Tertiary Health Care, Nepal [ 24 ], Pokhara Nepal [ 21 ], Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Dhanusha, Nepal [ 13 ], and Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari districts of Nepal [ 36 ], Iran [ 37 ] revealed lower prevalence of postpartum depression as compared to the present study. This variation in prevalence rate might be due to the variations in methodological design, length of the postpartum period, the population characteristics, and use of different cut-off points of EPDS score.…”

“…However, there is a scarcity of data regarding effective psychological treatments [ 23 ]. In Nepal, postpartum depression is common, but it is an insufficiently researched component of maternal health that requires early-stage identification [ 24 ]. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression among mothers attending a tertiary hospital in Nepal.…”

A qualitative study on the adaptation of community programmes for the promotion of early detection and health-seeking of perinatal depression in Nepal

“…Baron [24] noted a lack of recording, reporting, and treatment of maternal depression in PRIME in Nepal. In Nepal, there is no nationally representative data on perinatal depression, but few studies conducted in postnatal depression in the last 5 years indicate that the prevalence varies between 15-34% [25][26][27]. In the Nepali context, where strict patriarchal norms are practiced, women are often dominated, subjugated, and are subject to violence [28].…”

A qualitative study on the adaptation of community programmes for the promotion of early detection and health-seeking of perinatal depression in Nepal

“…Baron (24) noted a lack of recording, reporting, and treatment of maternal depression in PRIME in Nepal. In Nepal, there is no nationally representative data on perinatal depression, but few studies conducted in postnatal depression in the last 5 years indicate that the prevalence varies between 15-34% (25)(26)(27). Gender is a strong factor in uencing causations, health-seeking behaviour, and experience of mental health problems, as well as its impact on sociocultural and economic aspects (28).…”