Prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers who delivered in a tertiary hospital in Dasmariñas, Cavite from April to May 2013

ABSTRACT

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers who delivered in a tertiary hospital in Dasmariñas, Cavite from April to May 2013. Specifically, it aims to determine the proportion of mothers experiencing postpartum depression on the basis of the following socio-demographic factors age, marital status, employment status, manner of delivery, parity, age of gestation upon delivery, gender of the newborn and breastfeeding status. METHODOLOGY: A total of 115 postpartum patients were included in this descriptive study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening postpartum women was used in this study. It was translated in Filipino language, back translated and validated prior to its use on the women. A score of at least 10 points indicates possible postpartum depression (PPD). A score of at least 1 point in question #10 indicates suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Out of 115 patients, 89 had an EPDS score below 10 points corresponding to 77.39% of the total population studied, while 26 participants had a score of at least 10 points corresponding to 22.61%. There were 9 respondents who scored at least 1 point in ques­tion #10 pertaining to 7.83% of the population. CONCLUSION: Postpartum depression is a universal dilemma. In this study, the prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers who delivered in a tertiary hospital in Dasmariñas, Cavite from April to May 2013 is 22.61%. Since postpartum depression is a common condition with serious consequences, screening must be done with a multidisciplinary approach from both the obstetricians and psychiatrists.