Postnatal Depression among Women Attending A Rural Maternity Hospital in South India

Introduction: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) V defines Postpartum Depression (PND) as depression with onset within 4 weeks of delivery, symptoms lasting for a minimum of two weeks, causing clinically significant impairment of functioning. PND has important implications for the welfare of the family and the development of the child. Objectives were to determine the prevalence of postnatal depression among women attending a rural maternity hospital in South India and to identify the risk factors determining postnatal depression. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study, at a rural maternity hospital near Bangalore. One hundred and eighty women were selected through consecutive sampling. The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used administered to assess postnatal depression. Results: Prevalence of probable depression was found to be 18%. Risk factors found to be significantly associated with postnatal depression were high risk pregnancy, being unhappy with in-laws, low income of the family, mood swings and low mood during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study identified certain socio-demographic and obstetric risk factors for postnatal depressive symptoms in a rural community which helps to design intervention and preventive strategies for postpartum depression.