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Factors affecting the occurrence of postpartum depression among puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt

Research Authors
Mohammed N. Salem,MD,1 Mohamed N. Thabet, MD,2 Howieda Fouly, PhD,3 Ahmed M. Abbas,MD4
Research Journal
Proceedings in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Research Publisher
http://ir.uiowa.edu/pog/
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
7(1):4
Research Website
http://ir.uiowa.edu/pog/
Research Year
2017
Research_Pages
1-10
Research Abstract

Aim: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the most common complications of the postpartum period. In Egypt, previous studies have reported that the prevalence of PPD ranged from 20-50% depending on location in Lower and Upper Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate the co-factors affecting the occurrence of PPD amongst puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt.
Methods: The study was carried out at Sohag University Hospital from June 2015 to May 2016. All women within 6 weeks after birth who gave their consent were included. A pretested questionnaire including demographic, psychosocial, maternal and infant variables as well as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed. A woman with an EPDS score ≥13 was considered to have PPD, while a score < 12 ruled out PPD.
Results: We recruited 658 women, among whom 47 had an EPDS score ≥13, giving a prevalence of 7.14% of PPD. Women who delivered female babies or those who had a medical illness in their babies were significantly more likely to suffer from PPD.
Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD in our setting was 7.14% which reflected the lowest prevalence among regions in Egypt. This could be due to differences of regional culture, families’ ties or other co-factors and needs further verification.