Assessment of postpartum depression among mothers following delivery in a rural based tertiary care centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Postpartum depression represents a considerable problem affecting women and their families. It may range from mild self limiting depression named postpartum blues to postnatal major depression and psychosis. By doing this study, many of the risk factors can be screened and we can provide intervention in proper time so as to reduce the morbidity. A cross sectional study was conducted in 100 postnatal women. Mothers were interviewed using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with cut off score of 12. The result was analyzed by using the Chi-Square test. Out of 100 postnatal women included in the study, 13% women were found have EPDS score more than 12. Most of the patients were found to be in the age group of 20-30 years. It was also seen that most women who were educated up to high-school and belonged to joint families, were among the 13%. The most commonly associated factors were low and average family income (p=0.013) and caesarean mode of delivery (p=0.003). The study implies that postpartum depression is highly prevalent and is mostly influenced by the family income and mode of delivery.