The Underlying Factors for Postpartum Depression Severity in Iran: A Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental disorder among women and it can cause negative consequences for them, children, and families; however, accurate statistics and underlying factors on PPD and its severity are not available in Iran.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 200 women referred to an academic hospital for normal vaginal delivery, which had a full-term and single pregnancy and had passed between 6 weeks and 6 months of delivery, were selected by convenience sampling methods. The Edinburgh Depression Inventory and the checklist for demographic information of mothers were completed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of postpartum depression was 11.0% and 68.2% of mothers had a mild type. 31.8% had a history of depression. There was a significant relationship between the severity of postpartum depression in women with a previous history of depression (P = 0.012). Between postpartum depression and maternal age (P = 0.115), body mass index at delivery (P = 0.571), number of pregnancies (P = 0.693), number of deliveries (P = 0.446), number of abortions (P = 0.424), willing or unwilling pregnancy (P = 0.451), neonatal sex (P = 0.533), history of neonatal hospitalization (P = 0.725), previous history disease (P = 0.725) was no statistical association.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of PPD was approximately 11%, and there was a significant association between postpartum depression severity and a history of depression Physicians and policymakers should consider early screening for PPD, especially among women with previous depression.