Ayesha M Quraishy, Khusro Sultana, Zaeema Riaz.
Postpartum depression: Liaquat National Hospital experience.
Med Channel Jan ;11(1):30-2.

OBJECTIVES: An attempt to find out the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among Liaquat National Hospital patients. STUDY DESIGN: Correlational study SETTINGS: Study was conducted at the Gynecology and Obstetrical Department of Liaquat National Hospital during the period of Jan 01, 2003 to Dec 31, 2003. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered to 99 women admitted with full term pregnancy at. the Gynecology & Obstetrical department of Liaquat National Hospital to measure postpartum depression. Socio demographic information was explored through personal data form. For an EPDS total score, threshold value of > 12 were taken. RESULTS: Result shows that 42.42% of women have been found to have depression during postpartum period in the present study. Other socio demographic variables (family structure, employment status of women, and sex of baby) have not been found to be associated with postpartum depression in the present study. Further more there was no significant difference in the depression level of mothers having planned/unplanned or normal/complicated delivery. CONCLUSION: Two variables have emerged as significant predictors of postpartum depression; young age and low education level of mothers. Further studies are needed to see the effect of biological/hormonal changes on postpartum depression.

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