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. 2025 Mar 9;17(3):e80302.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.80302. eCollection 2025 Mar.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Paternal Postpartum Depression in Multiple Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lujain Bokhari  1 , Areej Alsulami  1 , Ghaida Alharbi  1 , Reem Nughays  1 , Rozan Alabdali  1 , Samiyah Alharthi  1 , Sultan Magliah  2 , Ahmad Alsabban  3   4   1 , Rania Zahid  1 , Abeer Abduljabbar  3
Affiliations

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Paternal Postpartum Depression in Multiple Primary Healthcare Centers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lujain Bokhari et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Paternal postpartum depression (PPPD) is an important public health issue that can negatively affect relationships among fathers, partners, and children. However, research on this issue in Saudi Arabia is lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for PPPD among Saudi fathers. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi fathers in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. We included all fathers of newborns aged ≤6 months while excluding those with a history of depressive disorder. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all participants. The Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen individuals for PPPD. Results The total number of respondents was 223. Approximately 30.9% of participants had PPPD based on an EPDS cutoff value of ≥9. Significant risk factors associated with PPPD were whether the father had lost a child (p = 0.0083) and whether the father had a family history of depression (p = 0.0028). Conclusion Our findings suggest that PPPD is prevalent among Saudi fathers; therefore, there is an urgent need for further research on PPPD. The results of this study will contribute to establishing preventive and intervention programs.

Keywords: edinburgh postnatal depression scale; paternal postnatal depression; paternal postpartum depression; risk factors; saudi arabia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center Institutional Review Board issued approval SP22J/012/02. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence of PPPD in Saudi Arabia.
PPPD: Paternal postpartum depression.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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