Prevalence of Positive Screen for Postpartum Depression in a Tertiary Hospital and Associated Factors

: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major health problem. With a three times higher prevalence in developing countries, it is of multiple origin and affects maternal well-being, such as health and behaviour, as well as the development of the child. The influence of biological, psychological, and social factors and their implications have been recognised in the origins of PPD, with different prevalence reported depending on the characteristics of the study population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of PPD in the University Hospital in San Jose de Popayan (HUSJ) and examine the factors associated with its development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a level III hospital on a sample of 194 postpartum women during the period from January to June 2015. The Edinburgh Depression Scale was used, taking a cut-off of 10 or more as a positive screen. The socio-demographic characteristics were also collected and social support scale was applied. The prevalence of the PPD period was estimated, and the determination of the factors associated with PPD was conducted using bivariate analysis. Based on the bivariate analysis and using logistic regression, three different models (biological, psychological and social) were generated. Theoretical and statistical criteria were taken into account in the selection of the variables to include in each of these. RESULTS: A prevalence of 40.20% (95% CI; 33%-47%) positives was found in the screening for PPD 95%. The possible factors associated with this are: obstetric pathology high risk, ORa=2.11; 95% CI; 1.11 to 4.01, hospitalised newborn, ORa=1.95; 95% CI; 1.01-3.76, poor social support, ORa 12.92, 95% CI; 3.61-46.17, not able to breastfeed, ORa= 2.85, 95% CI; 1.29-6.25, African/Indian race, ORa 3.13, 95% CI; 1.32-7.41, less than 5 years education, ORa 2.20; 95% CI; 1.03 - 4.68, and a subsidised healthcare scheme, Ora=2.61, 95% CI; 1.17-5.79. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PDP is higher than that found in developed countries, and is similar to that of Latin America, including Colombia. Poverty, ethnic minorities, poor social support, and maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes are the possible associated factors.