Prevalence and Risk Factors of Post-Natal Depression among Postpartum Women in a Primary Health Care Unit- Qalyoubia Governorate

Abstract

Postnatal depression (PND) is one of the categories of postpartum mood disorders; it is a major health issue for new mothers and healthcare professionals in the maternal child, with well-documented negative health consequences for the mother, child and family. With the birth of a baby, most women experience joy and excitement, while others experience a let down so: Postnatal depression is of concern to primary and mental health care professionals because it may severely affect the health of the mother as well as the health and development of her baby. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and risk factors of post-natal depressive symptoms among postpartum women at AL Mostakbal, primary health care unit in El obour city. A cross section study was conducted including 225 postpartum women who attended AL mostakbal PHCU. Selection of women was according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. They are selected as any women in post partum period (two weeks up to 12 months after labor). Data was collected using two questionnaires a screening one for detection of post-natal depression by using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The other one is an interviewed questionnaire including socio-demographic, reproductive history, past history and family history of depression, husband support during and after labour and stressful life events to detect risk factors of postnatal depressive symptoms. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms in this study was 37.78% (n=85 from 225) and 3.56% of them have EPDS score >=15 which indicate their probability of experiencing clinical depression. The depressive symptoms in the 1st 6 months is significantly higher than 2nd 6 months (33.33% and 4.44% respectively). It was found that there was statistically significant relation between low education level, unmarried (divorced or widow), living as nuclear family, spent less than 1500 LE per month, non practicing sport or hobbies and presence of depressive symptoms according to EPDS (P <0.05).