Factors associated with Post-partum depression among mothers attending Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Dhanusha, Janakpur.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a clinical depression which affects women after childbirth. It can have impact on maternal competence in childcare and has lasting and serious consequences upon the physical and psychological development of the child. Post-partum Depression is often overlooked in developing countries like Nepal. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-partum depression and its associated factors among mothers attending Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Dhanusha, Janakpur.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital among 165 post-partum mothers (delivery-12 weeks) using systematic sampling technique. Self administered version of Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used and a cutoff score of ⪰13 was considered to identify the prevalence of post-partum depression.

Results: Prevalence of post-partum depression was found to be 15.2%. Risk factors found to be significantly associated with postnatal depression were ethnicity (p value 0.004), age at marriage (p value 0.005), total number of children (p value 0.008), sex of the baby (p value 0.00005), planned or unplanned pregnancy (p value 0.007), infant health problems (p value 0.002), family history of depression (p value 0.0001), unhappy with in-laws (p value 0.00002), presence of husband during pregnancy (p value 0.001), smoking habit of husband (p value 0.0001) and drinking habit of the husband (p value 0.001).

Conclusion: Nearly one-fifth of post-partum mothers have depression. Ethnicity, age at marriage, total number of children, sex of the baby, planned or unplanned pregnancy, infant health problems, family history of depression, unhappy with in-laws, presence of husband during pregnancy, smoking and drinking habit of the husband were precipitating factors for PPD. These important risk factors for Post-partum depression should be considered to design interventions and preventive strategies for addressing postpartum depression.

Key words: Post-partum depression, prevalence, post-partum mothers, Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital.