Predictors of Postpartum Depression in an Iranian Population, 2006

Abstract

Background Postpartum depression has serious complications. There are various risk factors for postpartum depression and in some cases these are controversial. Objectives This study tested the prevalence of postpartum depression and its related factors in Kashan, Iran, in 2006. Patients and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 460 women referred to Kashan's health centers, during the second and third months after childbirth, were enrolled. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to make a diagnosis of depression. Other variables such as; type of delivery, satisfaction with husband, and demographic features were also assessed. Data were analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and regression analysis, using SPSS 16 software. Results The prevalence of severe and moderate depression was 28.9%. Our findings did not reveal any significant relationship between; type of delivery, unwanted pregnancy, gender of neonate, duration of marriage and gravidity with postpartum depression (P > 0.05). The stepwise regression analysis showed that depression made a significant model with; satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother. Conclusions Satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother are the important risk factors for postpartum depression.