Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression in women from single-child families

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and its associated factors among women without siblings from south China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 468 mothers from single-child families who were assessed at 6 weeks after childbirth at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China, from June 2015 to July 2016. The Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a self-designed questionnaire regarding risk factors were administered to all participants.

Results: The prevalence of PPD in women from single-child families was 56.2%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified the following pregnancy-related and psychological risk factors: unplanned pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-3.32), being a first-time mother (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.73-4.93), poor mother-in-law relationship (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.93-3.36), and poor family support (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.84-2.45). Sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with the development of PPD.

Conclusion: The development of PPD in women from single-child families is an important public health concern. Health practitioners should offer psychoeducation and culturally sensitive counseling during the postpartum period, and the screening of mood disorders from the prenatal to the postpartum period should be covered by maternity insurance.

Keywords: Childbirth; China; Cross-sectional study; Postpartum depression; Prevalence; Psychiatric disorders; Risk factors; Single-child family.