Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 May 11:11:302.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-302.

Prevalence and characteristics of postpartum depression symptomatology among Canadian women: a cross-sectional study

Andrea Lanes  1 , Jennifer L Kuk, Hala Tamim
Affiliations

Prevalence and characteristics of postpartum depression symptomatology among Canadian women: a cross-sectional study

Andrea Lanes et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: This study aims to look at the prevalence and characteristics of postpartum depression symptomatology (PPDS) among Canadian women. Studies have found that in developed countries, 10-15% of new mothers were affected by major postpartum depression. Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may endure difficulties regarding their ability to cope with life events, as well as negative clinical implications for maternal-infant attachment.

Methods: An analysis based on 6,421 Canadian women, who had a live birth between 2005 and 2006 and were part of the Maternity Experience Survey (MES), was performed. PPDS was measured based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Various factors that assessed socio-economic status, demographic factors, and maternal characteristics were considered for the multinomial regression model.

Results: The national prevalence of minor/major and major PPDS was found to be 8.46% and 8.69% respectively. A mother's stress level during pregnancy, the availability of support after pregnancy, and a prior diagnosis of depression were the characteristics that had the strongest significant association with the development of PPDS.

Conclusions: A significant number of Canadian women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Findings from this study may be useful to increase both the attainment of treatment and the rate at which it can be obtained among new mothers. Interventions should target those with the greatest risk of experiencing PPDS, specifically immigrant and adolescent mothers.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of minor/major PPDS across Canadian provinces and territories
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of major PPDS across Canadian provinces and territories
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of total PPDS (minor/major & major) across Canadian provinces and territories
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Leitch S. Postpartum Depression: A Review of the Literature. St. Thomas, Ontario: Elgin-St. Thomas Health Unit; 2002.
    1. O'Hara MW, Swain AM. Rates and risk of postpartum depression-a meta-analysis. International Review of Psychiatry. 1996;8:37–54. doi: 10.3109/09540269609037816. - DOI
    1. Cutrona CE. Social support and stress in the transition to parenthood. J Abnorm Psychol. 1984;93:378–390. - PubMed
    1. Goodman JH. Postpartum depression beyond the early postpartum period. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing. 2004;33:410–420. doi: 10.1177/0884217504266915. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Stowe ZN, Nemeroff CB. Women at risk for postpartum-onset major depression. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1995;173:639–645. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)90296-1. - DOI - PubMed