A cross-sectional study of risk factors for postpartum depression

Abstract

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is found across the globe, with rates varying from 11 to 42%. Several key risk factors have been identified as major contributors to the development of PPD. Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of PPD and to delineate risk factors for PPD to guard against recurrence and to get a hope for prophylaxis. Patients and methods In this cross-sectional study, 60 PPD females were diagnosed from among 230 Arabic-speaking consenting consecutive postpartum females who were referred from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Maternity and Child Hospital at Al Medina Al Monawara (Kingdom Saudi Arabia), from January 2015 to June 2015 and underwent complete psychiatric examination with stress upon demographic data and clinical characteristics of the patient using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision classification. Obstetric case sheets were prepared and psychometric studies were carried out using an Arabic version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, life event questionnaire, and social class study. Results In the current study PPD was diagnosed in 60 out of 230 (26%) postpartum females with a mean score of Edinburgh postnatal depression scale of 13.4±2.3 between the first and second months postpartum in 53.3%, was more common in the young age group, with a past history of psychiatric illness, was more prevalent in rural areas with low social class and social support, more in those with unwanted pregnancies and difficult labor and puerperium. PPD was precipitated by various stressors. Conclusion The current study revealed many risk factors contributing to PPD among females at Al medina Al Monawara, Kingdom Saudi Arabia. Recommendation Encouraging the liaison link between the psychiatric and obstetrics and gynecology doctors together with social workers could help in guarding against recurrence and to get a hope for prophylaxis.