The Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Its Related Factors among Women in Natanz City in 2018(Iran)

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that weakens the relationship between couple and between mother and child and has negative effects on health, quality of life of the affected and family members. Depression in women is highly affected by social and demographic risk factors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the congenital risk factors for postpartum depression in Natanz city.

The current study is a descriptive study in which 673 women who referred to Natanz health centers in 2018, were examined two weeks to two months after their delivery. The research tools were 2 questionnaires of standard Edinburgh and demographic information.

The overall prevalence of depression in the study population was obtained to be 7.1%. Maternal illness and preterm birth and sex of baby, were among the factors associated with postpartum depression. The mother's age, education, occupation, wanted or unwanted pregnancy, type of baby feeding, the birth rate, type of delivery, mother's thyroid disease, and baby hospitalization, were not related to maternal depression.

Investigating the factors related to postpartum depression in this research will help the health team for better planning to manage this disorder, and to prevent the disorder, educational and supportive programs should be implemented during pregnancy and after delivery for the mother and those around her, and by timely referral of mothers at risk of postpartum depression, the complications of this disorder could be prevented to some extent.