Home-based nursing for improvement of quality of life and depression in patients with postpartum depression

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is a common mental illness in puerpera, with an incidence of approximately 3.5%-33.0% abroad, and the incidence of postpartum depression in China is higher than the international level, reaching 10.0%-38.0%. Providing effective nursing care in clinical nursing activities is one of the key points of obstetrical care. However, little research has been designed to investigate the positive role of home-based nursing in the prevention of postpartum depression . AIM: To study the effect of home-based nursing for postpartum depression patients on their quality of life and depression. METHODS: The clinical data of 92 patients with postpartum depression treated at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were grouped according to the nursing methods used; 40 patients receiving basic nursing were included in a basic nursing group, and 52 receiving home-based nursing were included in a home-based nursing group. Depression and anxiety were evaluated and compared between the two groups. The estradiol (E2), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and progesterone (PRGE) levels were measured. RESULTS: The SAS and SDS scores of the home-based nursing group were significantly lower than those of the basic nursing group (P < 0.05). The E2 and 5-HT levels of the home-based nursing group were significantly higher than those of the basic nursing group, but the PRGE level was significantly lower than that of the basic nursing group. The GQOLI-74 scores (material, social, somatic, and psychological) and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the home-based nursing group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postpartum depression through home-based nursing can effectively alleviate depression and improve the quality of life of patients, help modulate their serum E2, 5-HT, and PRGE levels, and improve their satisfaction with nursing care.