Prevalence and Determinants of Postpartum Depression in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Purpose: Postpartum depression is one of the common complication of postpartum period and a major public health issue. It adversely affects the mother, her child, and the family. To determine the prevalence and determinants of postpartum depression in women delivered in a tertiary hospital Karachi.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a private hospital of Karachi, from 1st February 2014 to 31st January 2016. All women having age between 20-49 years between 4-6 weeks postpartum period consented to participate were included. Women with pre-existing co-morbid like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, physical and psychiatric illnesses, having multigestation and had the previous history of perinatal loss were excluded. A pretested research proforma was translated into local (Urdu) language and data on demographic and determinant were collected. PPD was assessed using Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale and score of \u3e12 was considered having PPD.Results: A total of 600 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of enrolled participants was 26.2±3.2 years and mean gestational age was 38.5±1.1 weeks. One hundred and thirty-four women had an EPDS score of \u3e12 giving the prevalence of PPD of 22.3%. Multivariable analysis adjusted for age and gestational age showed no family support OR 2.01 (95% CI: 1.07-3.75), primiparity OR 2.28 (95%CI: 1.28-4.07), uneducated women OR 1.78 (95% CI: 1.04-3.05), women experience complications at time of delivery OR 7.55 (95% CI: 2.98-19.12), unintended pregnancy OR 2.82 (95% CI: 1.59-5.02), obesity OR 3.84 (95%CI: 2.3-6.43) and financial issues OR (95% CI: 1.78-11.01) were independent determinants of postpartum depression.Conclusions: It was concluded from this study that the prevalence of postpartum depression was 22.3%. No family support, parity, educational status, complications during delivery, unintended pregnancy, obesity and financial issues are independent determinants of post-partum depression