Postnatal Depression: A study of prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors

Abstract

Perinatal psychiatry is an important aspect of modern clinical practice. Postnatal
psychiatric states maybe divided into three categories, which overlap to some extent,
that is, maternity blues, postnatal depression, and puerperal psychosis. In the West,
studies have reported that significant postnatal depressive disorders occur in up to 10
percent of women. The present work was undertaken with the aim to study the
prevalence of postnatal depression and to study the socio-demographic profile of
women suffering from postnatal depression. The sample for the present study was
drawn from women who attended postnatal clinic (Mondays and Wednesdays) of T.U.
Teaching Hospital and were in 4-12 weeks postnatal period. All the selected women
were asked to rate Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A total of 100 women in 4-12
week postnatal period were screened and twelve women scored above the cut-off
score and were found to be suffering from postnatal depression. Thus the estimated
prevalence of postnatal depression in females attending postnatal clinic of TUTH is
12%. The mean age of females was 23.92+3.29 years. The majority of them were
housewives, belonged to Hindu religion and came from middle socio-economic strata.
Though the sample for the present study was relatively small, it may still be inferred
that the prevalence of postnatal depression in Nepal maybe the same as that in the
world. Further large-scale community studies are recommended.