Postpartum Depression in Kerala: Insights from a Community-Based Pilot Study
Sajna Panolan, M. Benson Thomas
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a significant health issue affecting maternal and family well-being.
Aim:
This study aims to examine the prevalence of PPD among mothers in Kerala who recently gave birth and to assess the perceived social support among depressed and non-depressed mothers in the region.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2024, in the Malappuram district of Kerala, with a cohort of mothers between 4 and 12 weeks postpartum. This pre-experimental study was conducted in 43 postpartum mothers by multi-stage cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings, with the PPD proportion calculated for mothers scoring 13 or above on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Cross-tabulation and Chi-square tests assessed variations in PPD proportions across different sociodemographic, obstetric, and infant-related factors. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for inferential statistics.
Results:
The study found that factors such as the first post-natal check-up, maternal physical health, history of depression, sources of stress and infant-related factors (sleeping disturbances, ongoing health problems, and low birth weight) significantly correlate with PPD. The analysis revealed a negative correlation between perceived social support and PPD.
Conclusion:
This pilot study offers valuable insights into PPD prevalence and risk factors in the Malappuram district. While aligning with broader studies, it underscores the necessity of localized research to capture regional variations. The findings suggest that interventions targeting social support enhancement, sleep quality improvement, and high-risk group monitoring may be effective in mitigating PPD.