The incidence of puerperal depression at Baragwanath Hospital and Soweto community health clinics

M.Cur. (Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing)The incidence of puerperal depression was explored amongst the Soweto population. A total of 170 women were interviewed at Baragwanath Hospital. 12 satellite clinics. and one private clinic. The women were interviewed during their sixth-week postnatal follow-up with regard to their social and obstetric histories in order to establish the factors which predispose mothers to puerperal depression. A Pitt Depression Inventory was used to assess the postpartum disturbances and depressive symptomatologies experienced by the women. Data analysis revealed that the incidence of postpartum depression is 20.1%. The results of this study are consistent with some of the findings of other researchers. The results revealed a strong relationship between physical stress psychiatric history and depressive symptoms. Other researchers have found puerperal depression to be triggered by social stresses. This was not the case with this study. Guidelines have been given regarding early identification prevention and management of puerperal depression