Prevalence and predictors of postpartum depression in Upper Egypt: A multicenter primary health care study

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is highly prevalent with a major impact on the mother and child health. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD in primary health care centres which provide vaccinations services to infants in Assiut city and to evaluate the possible risk factors associated with PPD. Methods: In this multicentre study, 257 mothers attended three primary health care centres for immunization of their babies were recruited from January 2019 to January 2020. All participants were evaluated for sociodemographic features, Family affluence scale (FAS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and associated risk factors. Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.98 +/- 4.7. About half of the mothers and their husbands had low education level. Most of the families (89%) have low socioeconomic scale (SES). About (33.5%) women were found to have possible PPD. In the logistic regression analysis, SES, history of depression, history of PPD, history of stressful conditions, familial support, unwanted pregnancy, and male preference were significant statistical in PPD (p < 0.05). Limitations: We did not investigate the medical and psychological problems during antenatal care. Also, we did not assess relation of the type of delivery and medical problems during delivery on the postnatal care. Conclusions: PPD was prevalent in 33.5% The possible risk factors of PPD were low SES, history of depression, history of PPD, history of stressful conditions, familial support, unwanted pregnancy, and male preference.

Automated summary

The study found that 33.5% of mothers may suffer from postpartum depression, with possible risk factors including low socioeconomic status, history of depression, history of postpartum depression, history of stressful conditions, lack of family support, unwanted pregnancy, and preference for male offspring.