Effect of Self-Care Program on Women with Postpartum Depression

Abstract

Postpartum depression adversely affects the health and wellbeing of many mothers, their infants, and their families. .Self-care strategies are important for all women during the postpartum period who experienc¬ing depressive symptoms in conjunction with appropriate medical and psychological interventions.: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Self-Care Program on Women with Postpartum Depression. Study design and methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design; it was conducted at El-Abbassia Mental Hospital, affiliated to the Ministry of Health, in the Out-patient clinics. Purposive sample of 35 women were recruited for this study. Four tools were used;1) a structured interviewing questionnaire included demographic characteristics as age, marital status, educational level, occupation and residence. It also included: Obstetric history as parity, gestational age and methods of delivery and information related to women’s knowledge about postpartum depression,2) Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to screen for postpartum depression, 3)The Beck Depression Inventory-II to as¬sess depressive symptoms during postpartum period, and a worksheets to record woman’s current activity in five main areas; Nourishment and Needs (Inventory of nourishment), Understanding of PPD. (Inventory of understand¬ing), Rest and Relaxation (Inventory of R&R), Spirituality (Inventory of spirituality), and Exercise (Inventory of exer¬cise)in addition to Supportive material (self-care program).Results and conclusions: The results of this study showed the effectiveness of the Self-Care program in providing knowledge, lessen women’s depressive symptoms. It also concluded that, women with post partum depression are in great need for support in all aspects; educational, social and psychological. Further researches needed to concentrate on interventional studies to reduce the potential risk factors of women during the postnatal period. By developing social support systems, counseling centers, routine an¬tenatal and postnatal screening and self-help groups for post natal mothers it would help in reducing the prevalence rates of post partum depression is an important recommendation.