Postpartum Depression and Risk Factors among Females

Abstract

Background:Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depression with a postpartum onset.
Various reasons, such as lack of supportfrom the husband or the family, type of family, sex of the
baby, past experiences, and many more, can lead to the onset of postpartum depression in a female.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess postpartum depression and its possible risk factors
amongfemales.
Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 100 postpartum females. The sample was
selected by purposive sampling method from different nursing homes in Patna. Women with age
ranging from 20 to 45 years were recruited as the sample of the study. After obtaining an informed
consent, details of socio-demographic variables and risk factorrelated variables were gathered on
interview with the postpartum females and postpartum depression was assessed using Edinburgh
PostnatalDepression Scale.
Result and Conclusion: The result revealed that 58% of the females were suffering from
postpartum depression. Possible risk factors identified in the study were mode of delivery, breast
feeding problems, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, and mood swings during pregnancy.
Age during first pregnancy was significantly negatively correlated with postpartum depression
score.