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. 1997 Feb;23(1):85-9.
doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1997.tb00811.x.

Incidence of postnatal depression in Malaysian women

L K Kit  1 , G Janet, R Jegasothy
Affiliations

Incidence of postnatal depression in Malaysian women

L K Kit et al. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 1997 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of postnatal depression of Malaysias women at 6 week postpartum and a survey of their sociocultural practices.

Methods: A hundred and fifty-four women who were 6 weeks postpartum attending the postnatal clinic between May and July 1995 at Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Seremban, Malaysia. Maternal socio-demography, depression by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), postnatal care and practices e.g. pantang larang (prohibited behaviour and practices), diet and partnering were evaluated.

Results: Postnatal depression was 3.9%. Indians had the highest rate at 8.5% as compared to Malays (3.0%) and none in Chinese (p < 0.05). There were no demographic differences in the study groups. Average score of EPDS was 4.05 which ranged from 0 to 20. During the confinement 85.7% of women took special diet; 64.3% followed pantang larang and 78.8% had someone to look after them. The incidence of postnatal depression is low in Malaysia at 3.9%. Majority of Malaysian women still observed the traditional postnatal beliefs and practices.

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