Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression

Introduction Childbirth represents for women a time of vulnerability to postpartum mood disorders. These disorders range in severity from the early maternal blues to postpartum psychosis. Along this spectrum is postpartum depression (PPD) that may have many risk factors. Objectives The study aims to examine the prevalence of PPD and associated risk factors among a sample of Tunisian women receiving cares in the hospital of Sfax. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study regarding 150 parturients examined during the first and the sixth week post-delivery. The EPDS (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale) was used to assess PPD. Results The total sample had a mean age of 29.61 years. During the sixth week study period, 126 of 150 were examined. Almost all of the women have a low school level (82.7%). Only 9.3% had a personal psychiatric history. Multiparity was found in 43.3% of cases. The current pregnancy was undesired in 15.3% of cases. Sympathetic signs of pregnancy were reported by 64.7% of women. The prevalence of PPD in the first week was 14.7% and 19.8% in the sixth week after delivery. The PPD was associated with the maternal age (> 35 years), the low school level, the existence of mood personal background, the parity, the difficulty to accept the pregnancy and sympathetic signs of pregnancy. Conclusion Postpartum depression is common on our sample. Identifying risk factors of PPD allows clinicians to detect subgroups of women with an increased vulnerability who might receive early psychiatric care.