The Underlying Factors for Postpartum Depression Severity in Iran: A Single-Center Study

  • Azadeh Shabani Preventative Gynecology Research Center (PGRC), Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Mahshid Farahbakhsh School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Azadeh Mazaheri Meybodi Hospital Research Development Committee and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Nafiseh Faghih Gynecology Department, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohammad Haddadi Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Postpartum Depression; Mental Health; Women's Health; Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental disorder among women and it can cause negative consequences for them, children, and families; however, accurate statistics and underlying factors on PPD and its severity are not available in Iran.

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 women referred to an academic hospital for normal vaginal delivery, which had a full-term and single pregnancy and had passed between 6 weeks and 6 months of delivery, were selected by convenience sampling methods. The Edinburgh Depression Inventory and the checklist for demographic information of mothers were completed.

Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression was 11.0% and 68.2% of mothers had a mild type. 31.8% had a history of depression. There was a significant relationship between the severity of postpartum depression in women with a previous history of depression (P = 0.012). Between postpartum depression and maternal age (P = 0.115), body mass index at delivery (P = 0.571), number of pregnancies (P = 0.693), number of deliveries (P = 0.446), number of abortions (P = 0.424), willing
or unwilling pregnancy (P = 0.451), neonatal sex (P = 0.533), history of neonatal hospitalization
(P = 0.725), previous history disease (P = 0.725) was no statistical association.

Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD was approximately 11%, and there was a significant association between postpartum depression severity and a history of depression Physicians and policymakers should consider early screening for PPD, especially among women with previous depression.

Published
2023-09-02
Section
Articles