A cross-sectional prevalence study of depression at various times after delivery in Mersin province in Turkey

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a major depression occurring after delivery. Depression in mothers postpartum may affect the development of the infant and life quality of the mother negatively. In this study, PPD prevalence in the first 2 months after delivery was compared with the prevalence in later periods. Methods: This study was conducted in 2001 in the province of Mersin in Turkey. In-home questionnaires were given to nonpregnant married women age 15-44 years from primary healthcare centers identified through a multistage, stratified sampling method. Depression was defined as a score of 13 or higher on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: Data were available on 1447 women. PPD prevalence was 29.0% at 0-2 months, 36.6% at 3-6 months, 36.0% at 7-12 months, and 42.7% greater than or equal to 13 months postpartum. PPD prevalence in the 0-2-month postpartum period was lower than in the other groups (F = 4.6, p < 0.01). The prevalence increased with the time since delivery. When compared with the prevalence in months 0-2, PPD risk was 1.41 times greater in months 3-6, 1.37 times greater in months 7-12, and 1.82 times greater in months greater than or equal to 13 (chi-square for trend test = 11.7, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this Turkish population, PPD prevalence was substantial at all time points. The prevalence was at its lowest level before the second postpartum month and increased with time. The decrease in the intensive social and physical support given to the mother immediately after delivery may explain this trend.