Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression in a Tertiary Care Centre, Puducherry

AIMS: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the experience of depressed mood that begins anytime within the first four weeks after delivery. When left untreated, it can affect the infant's emotional and cognitive development and mother's health and family. South Indian studies on this topic are sparse. This study aimed at identifying the prevalence and risk factors of PPD in a tertiary care centre in Puducherry. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study which included 140 antenatal women between 34 and 36 weeks’ period of gestation, and followed up at 6 weeks postpartum. Tools used in the study were semi-structured questionnaire to collect the sociodemographic details, Postpartum Depression Predictive Inventory – Revised version and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS: 10% were found to have antepartum depression and at the postpartum visit, 18.6% were found to have depression. The risk factors identified were inadequate spousal support, unsatisfactory marital relationship, poor relationship with in-laws, prenatal anxiety and depression, low self esteem, maternity blues, child care stress, infant temperament, health problems and frequent hospital visits. Among these, presence of maternity blues (OR = 30.370) and infant health problems (OR = 14.742) had the highest risk. CONCLUSION: Majority of the women with PPD reported depressive symptoms in the third trimester itself, hence antenatal and postnatal women should be routinely screened for depression and managed promptly. Failing to attach significance to prolonged maternity blues and frequent infant health problems has been found to increase the risk for developing PPD significantly.