Psychosocial and obstetric determinants of women experiencing postpartum depression in a Southeastern region of India

Postpartum depression amidst COVID-19 pandemic: What further could be done?

“…From the recent evidence, it is evident that the impact of a pandemic on mental health would be at large, enduring, and superlative in developing countries with an under-resourced mental health workforce ( Jacob et al, 2021 ; Kola et al, 2021 ). The increasing incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) is of particular concern ( Swain et al, 2021 ; Upadhyay et al, 2017 ). In a crisis where the mental health resource is scanty, families form the most important support system ( Chadda and Deb, 2013 ).…”

“…In the South-Asian countries predilection for a male child, unhappy relationships, financial constraints, the instance of domestic violence, and deprived social or emotional support are significant predictors for postpartum depression (PPD) ( Swain et al, 2021 ; Upadhyay et al, 2017 ). Of late the United Nations Population Fund (United Nations agency aimed at improving reproductive and maternal health globally) approximated that owing to lockdown 12 million women could miss access to contraception resulting in 1.4 million unintended pregnancies (“ One year into the pandemic, UNFPA estimates 12 million women have seen contraceptive interruptions, leading to 1.4 million unintended pregnancies | UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund, ” n.d. ).…”

“…Postpartum is a much demanding period for the mother requiring significant personal and interpersonal adaption, and mental health issues during this period can have far-reaching consequences for the mother and child ( Verkuijl et al, 2014 ). Among the commonest postpartum psychiatric disorders, PPD has a global prevalence rate of 100–150 per 1000 births ( Swain et al, 2021 ). The pattern and cluster of psychiatric disorders and psychological distress among women are different from men owing to their social circumstances, cultural, and socio-economic determinants ( Malhotra and Shah, 2015 ).…”

“…In severe cases of depression, there could be intentional self-harm or baby directed violence (“ Kasaragod woman held for strangling baby with earphone cable | Kerala News | Manorama English, ” n.d. , “ Kollam woman in depression strangles baby girl to death- The New Indian Express, ” n.d. ). There is an alarming need to pay more focus on maternal mental health as an integral part of maternal and child care in low and middle-income countries like India, where the pooled prevalence of PPD among mothers were estimated as 22 % in a recent report ( Swain et al, 2021 ).…”