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Screening for Postnatal Depression in a Tertiary Care Hospital

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The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To determine the need to screen postpartum women for postpartum depression.

Objective

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of an Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) score of ≥13 in postpartum mothers and to evaluate the association of different sociodemographic and obstetric factors with postpartum depression.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Method

1600 postpartum women who delivered a live born at St. John’s Hospital were recruited into the study. Participants were screened for postnatal depression using the EPDS. A risk factor questionnaire that covered key sociodemographic and obstetric factors was also completed by all the subjects. Main Outcome Measure: Prevalence of a score of 13 or higher, on the EPDS.

Results

The prevalence of an EPDS score of ≥13 in our population was 7.5 % (120/1600). Participants with a family history of psychiatric illness, history of domestic abuse, delayed initiation of breastfeeding, and those who gave birth to a female infant were at a significantly higher risk for an EPDS score of 13 or higher, indicating probable postnatal depression. The mode of delivery, NICU admission of the newborn, and history of antenatal complications were not significant risk factors.

Conclusion

Since the prevalence of an EPDS score ≥13 (which is suggestive of PPD) was found in a significant proportion of women, screening for PPD is indicated in all postpartum women to identify and promptly treat these women. Identification of a clear correlation between certain risk factors and PPD will lead to a more prompt diagnosis of PPD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of OBG, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India

    C. N. Sheela & Shilpa Venkatesh

Authors
  1. C. N. Sheela
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  2. Shilpa Venkatesh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shilpa Venkatesh.

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Conflicts of interest

All authors declare that there have been no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

This study meets ethical guidelines as the manuscript has been approved by ethics committee of St. Johns Medical College and hospital. A written consent has been taken from all patients about participation in research.

Informed consent

Informed consent of all the participants has been obtained.

Additional information

C. N. Sheela is Professor and HOD and Shilpa Venkatesh is Senior Resident at Department of OBG, St. John’s Medical College Bangalore, India.

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Sheela, C.N., Venkatesh, S. Screening for Postnatal Depression in a Tertiary Care Hospital. J Obstet Gynecol India 66 (Suppl 1), 72–76 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-015-0766-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-015-0766-x

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