Prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period: An experience from urban West Bengal, India

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that affects new mothers within the first year after childbirth. PPD can negatively impact both the mother's quality of life and the child's development. Untreated PPD can lead to adverse outcomes, such as infant growth retardation, poor child survival, impaired development, and undernutrition. The burden of PPD is a significant public health concern, with a global prevalence increase of 18.4% from 2005 to 2015. Early detection and intervention of PPD can mitigate the severity and chronicity of symptoms.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD among mothers in an urban area of Kolkata and identify any influencing factors.

Materials and methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional design, surveying 189 mothers within the postpartum period of 6 weeks to 1 year. Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was used to identify possible PPD.

Results: About 29% of the women had probable PPD, 19% had possible depression, and 15% had no depression. Factors associated with depression included low birth weight and primiparity, while financial independence served as a protective factor. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that low-birth-weight babies, marital conflict, lack of support at home, and primiparity had higher odds of depression, whereas financial independence was a protective factor. Age was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of PPD and significant associations with factors emphasized the importance of screening all mothers for PPD, providing medical care and counselling, and ensuring acceptance and support from partners, family, and society.

Keywords: Depression; Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; marital conflict; newborn; primipara.

Diagram 1

Pie diagram showing the distribution of postpartum depression as per EPDS score (n = 189)