Prevalence of Post Natal Depression and Risk Factors of Depression among Women Seeking Health Services in Southern India

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a debilitating illness that wreaks havoc on women's lives during the transition to motherhood. There have been numerous risk factors associated with postnatal depression, including physical, social, and financial aspects. The illness might manifest up immediately after delivery or up to six weeks postpartum. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors for postnatal depression during the postpartum period.

Methods: The study used a quantitative descriptive cross sectional design with 700 postnatal women up to 42 days after delivery who were selected using a convenient sampling technique, excluding those in intensive care units. The data were gathered using socio demographic data, and depression was identified using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and it was discovered that the majority of them were between the ages of 25 and 30, had spontaneous conception, and delivered normal vaginal delivery. The postnatal depression score revealed that 29.57% of women had a typical degree of depression and 70.43 % are depressed. As a result, the prevalence of postnatal depression was 70.93%  among women. It was negligible in light of the presence of risk factors (20.14 %). The link between depression severity and socio demographic and obstetric characteristics were significant, and the study's findings indicate that women over 30 years old, married for more than 30 years, living in urban areas, and having PIH, GDM, or anaemia had a higher risk when compared to others. As nurses are the primary healthcare providers, nurse-led therapies such as early symptom detection, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and intensive counselling are essential.