Prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a cohort of Srilankan post-partum mothers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) usually follows a catastrophic event. However, the experience of child birth can be severe enough to cause PTSD in some women. The aim of this study is to highlight the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among a cohort of postpartum mothers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in field clinics of a semi-urban area in Sri Lanka. A pre-tested interviewer administered checklist was used to collect socio-demographic and pregnancy related data. Pre-existing self-administered, validated Sinhalese versions of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR) were used to assess the presence of Post-Partum Depression (PPD) and PTSD, respectively. Each participant was assessed for PTSD and PPD after one, two and six months following delivery. Scores of PPD > 9 and PSS-SR > 13 were taken as screening positive for the two conditions, respectively. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five mothers at the end of postpartum one month were recruited for the study. The response rate at their follow-up visits at the second and sixth months were 95 % (n = 214) and 93 % (n = 211). The prevalence of postpartum PTSD was 2.7 % (n = 6), 0.9 % (n = 2) and 0.5 % (n = 1) after one, two and sixth months respectively. Prevalence of postpartum PTSD was 3.6 % over 6 months. Verbal abuse during labour (p = 0.04) and the presence of postpartum depression (P ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with postpartum PTSD. There were no significant associations between PTSD and gestational age at delivery, index pregnancy being a planned pregnancy, a history of subfertility, family history of psychiatric disorders, intimate partner violence, receiving antenatal counseling, type and mode of delivery, duration of labour, presence of a labour companion, post-partum hemorrhage, manual removal of placenta, negative birth experience, low APGAR score of the baby at delivery, receiving neonatal and maternal intensive care, birth defects, problems with breast feeding or opportunity to discuss with a health care worker. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of postpartum PTSD in this community-based study is 3.6 %; which is comparable with the overall global prevalence. PTSD was significantly associated with verbal abuse during labour and postpartum depression.

Prevalence of pre-operative anxiety and associated factors among a group of women undergoing gynaecological surgeries at a single unit in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka.

Background: Surgery-related anxiety is universal, leading to complications. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of pre-operative anxiety levels among a group of patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 64 women was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Sri Lanka. Patients who underwent emergency surgeries, those with mental illnesses or those aged <18 years were excluded. Pre-operative assessment was done one day prior to the surgery using a self-administered Sinhala validated Amsterdam-Preoperative-Anxiety-and-Information-Scale (APAIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS). The APAIS consists of six questions which assess three anxiety components: anesthesia-related-anxiety (Sum A), surgery-related-anxiety (Sum S) and information-desire-component (Sum IDC). The combined score (Sum C) is given by the total of Sum A and Sum S. A Sum C of ≥11 indicates significant anxiety. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.03 years (SD=13.53 years). The mean total score of APAIS was 10.36 (4.06), of HADS was 5.734 (4.487) and of VAS was 3.156 (2.773). All scores were higher in participants <50 years. There were negative correlations between age and anxiety levels in VAS and APAIS scales; the Sum IDC in APAIS (r=-0.416, p=0.001) and VAS scores (r=-246, p=0.050) showed significant negative correlations. Excepting Sum IDC all APAIS, HADS and VAS scores were higher among the group without insurance; despite free healthcare. However only Sum S (t=-3.716, p=0.000) and Sum C (t=-2.281, p=0.026) in APAIS, HADS (t=-3.412, p=0.001) and VAS (t=-2.135, p=0.037) had statistically higher values. Anxiety scores were higher in the group that underwent minor surgeries but where not significantly related to education level, marital status, income, employment or living status. Conclusions: Pre-operative anxiety is common. Age <50 years, lacking insurance cover and undergoing minor surgeries are associated with increased pre-operative anxiety levels. Screening and appropriate interventions would be beneficial.