Periye: One in four women experience postpartum depression, suggests a study by the Central University of Kerala. The finding is based on the study conducted by post-graduate student Vismaya on the prevalence and influencing factors of postpartum depression among mothers in Kerala.
The study, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jayalakshmi Rajeev, Assistant professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, says that among 220 mothers in Kasaragod district 55 (24.6 percent) suffered postpartum depression. According to WHO, however, one in seven women suffers from postpartum depression.
According to the study, factors such as the mother’s education, husband’s education, and occupation were found to be a factor associated with postpartum depression. Along with these factors, it was also seen that mothers’ decisions on planning pregnancy, worries during pregnancy, complications during pregnancy and delivery, and the difficulties after childbirth can result in developing postpartum depression.
This is the first study on PPD among mothers in a community setting and most of the mothers who screened positive never realized or sought any health service for their condition. This suggests the need for increasing the awareness about PPD among the community and equipping the healthcare system, especially at the primary healthcare level for the screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum depression.
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