Prevalence of postpartum depression and its relationship with birth experience among adolescent mothers: a cross-sectional study

Adolescent pregnancy is one of the important challenges of reproductive health. Factors such as family conflict, poor social support, and low self-esteem among adolescent mothers can expose them to postpartum depression. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and its relationship with birth experience among adolescent mothers.

The present study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 202 adolescent mothers referred to urban and suburban health centers in Tabriz, Iran. Sampling method was census and done in the period of 1 to 3 months after birth in 2022. After checking the eligibility criteria, childbirth experience questionnaire version 2.0 (CEQ 2.0) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were completed through interview. Data analysis was done using SPSS software and logistic regression test.

The mean (SD) of postpartum depression score was 7.5 (5.6) ranging from 0 to 30. The prevalence of postpartum depression and negative birth experience were approximately 23.8% and 11.4%, respectively. After adjusting the effect of possible confounding variables, there was no statistically significant relationship between the negative experience of birth and postpartum depression (p= 0.310). In mothers with unwanted pregnancy compared to mothers with wanted pregnancy, the probability of postpartum depression was 2.22 times higher [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) = 2.22 (4.71 to 1.05); p= 0.037].

Although in this study, approximately one-fifth of adolescent mothers were exposed to postpartum depression; there was no significant relationship between the negative birth experience and postpartum depression. The results of this study can be used to identify high-risk mothers, especially mothers with unwanted pregnancies, referring them for counseling, and prevent postpartum depression.