Abstract
Background
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe health issue and is considered to have a negative effect on the wellbeing of mothers and on the physical and cognitive growth of children. Literatures on postpartum depression were confined in Egypt. The goals of this study are to establish the prevalence of postpartum depression as well as the underlying risk factors.
Materials and Methods
From February 2019 to July2019 a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 120 women whose youngest child(ren) was less than 1 year old from obstetric outpatient clinic in Al-Zahraa University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. The PPD symptoms were measured using an Arabic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Results
Postpartum depression prevalence among 120 mothers (above the age of 18) was 27.5% in the first year after birth. Women who had suffered of domestic violence [OR: 6.4, 95% CI: 2.5, 15.3], previously diagnosed with postpartum depression [OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.6, 17.9], experienced stressful life events [OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4, 8.1] and difficulty in interaction with others when struggling [OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7, 9.1] had greater odds of reporting PPD.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a widespread, postnatal mental illness. Many factors may cause PPD to occur. Early detection of such factors can help in predicting PPD development.