ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN WORKING WOMEN OF PAKISTAN

Introduction: Postpartum depressive symptom (PDS) is a debilitating mental disorder, generally occurring during the first year postpartum. The global prevalence rates range between 0.5-60.8percent Objective of the study: The basic aim of the study is to analyze the incidence of postpartum depression in working women of Pakistan. Methodology of the study: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore during March 2019 to December 2019. The data were collected from 100 pregnant working women and non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for sample selection. Women aged >18 to < 40, women their labor had not started, Consent to participate in the research and all type of gravidas & Para were included in this study. Data was collected through A Self Structure Questionnaire composed of socio-demographic & obstetric baseline characteristics. Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) was used to find out the level of depression & anxiety. Results: Results of the study include physical characteristics, demographics, prevalence of Depression & Anxiety and associated Risk factors. In this study Mean age of participants was 25.93 ±4.06. Mean Height 5.18±0.46 and Mean Weight 65.84±10.25 of the study participants. BMI (body mass index) of patients was also calculated, Mean BMI was 25.99±3.52. Patient’s Demographics includes occupation, education & socioeconomic status, which were described and their graphically presentation. Prevalence of anxiety was 33.21% and depression was 30.46%. In this study, Mean Anxiety score was 7.23±3.27 and Mean Depression score was 7.35±2.83. Mean score of anxiety & depression indicate mild to moderate level of antenatal anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Study concluded that one-third of pregnant working women were reported with anxiety and depression. Findings of current study show that family crises were strongly associated with antenatal anxiety & depression while gender discrimination, history of miscarriage and fear of C-section were the other causes