Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression among Women in a Primary Health Care Unit, Qalyoubia Governorate, Egypt

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) represents a considerable health problemaffecting women and their families. Objective: to determine the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among women attending Al- Mostkbal primary health care unit in Al-Obour city. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted including 225
postpartum women selected from Al- Mostakbal primary health care centre in the postpartum
period. They were subjected to two forms of questionnaires (1) Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and (2) An interview questionnaire to collect dataabout possible risk factors of postpartum depressive symptoms. Results: The mean age of studied women was 30.9 years± 6.09. Prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms was  found to be 37.78 % according to EPDS using a cutoff point >12. These symptoms were significantly higher in the first six months than the second six months after delivery (P<0.001). Mothers who had their newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU), hospitalization for her newborn, annoyed from weight gain after labour, lack of husband support during or after pregnancy, twins’ newborn and a past history of depression were the significant variables associated with PPD symptoms. However, age, employment, pregnancy loss, and preterm labour had no significant association with PPD.
Conclusion: Factors that may lead to development of PPD, include some sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychosocial ones. Early detection of these factors may help in prediction of the development of PPD by family physicians.