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Social support and postpartum depression in low-socioeconomic level postpartum women in Eastern Turkey

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this article was to determine risk factors for postpartum depression in low-socioeconomic level women during the first postpartum year and to determine the relationship between postpartum depression symptoms and social support.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through administration of a questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed utilizing unpaired t test, one-way analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of perceived symptoms of postpartum depression was 21.0% (scores of ≥13) and there was a correlation (r = −0.36, p = 0.000) between MSPSS and EPDS scores. The mean EPDS score was 8.36 ± 5.6 while the mean MSPSS score was 64.49 ± 15.2.

Conclusion

Postpartum depression symptoms are common among Turkish women. These findings provide important information about the role of social support related to postpartum depressive symptoms among Turkish women. Informing health professionals about these issues is an important step towards improving maternal and child health care services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey

    Yurdagül Yağmur

  2. Kirklareli University, Kirklareli, Turkey

    Neşe Ulukoca

Authors
  1. Yurdagül Yağmur
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  2. Neşe Ulukoca
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Correspondence to Yurdagül Yağmur.

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Yağmur, Y., Ulukoca, N. Social support and postpartum depression in low-socioeconomic level postpartum women in Eastern Turkey. Int J Public Health 55, 543–549 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-010-0182-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-010-0182-z

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