Postpartum depression: is mode of delivery a risk factor?

There are various factors related to postpartum depression. In this study we have aimed to determine the effect of mode of delivery on the risk of postpartum depression. A total of 318 women who applied for delivery were included in the study. Previously diagnosed fetal anomalies, preterm deliveries, stillbirths, and patients with need of intensive care unit were excluded from the study. Data about the patients were obtained during hospital stay. During the postpartum sixth week visit Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was applied. There was no significant difference between EPDS scores when compared according to age, education, gravidity, wanting the pregnancy, fear about birth, gender, family type, and income level (P > 0.05). Those who had experienced emesis during their pregnancy, had a history of depression, and were housewives had significantly higher EPDS scores (P < 0.05). Delivering by spontaneous vaginal birth, elective Cesarean section, or emergency Cesarean section had no effect on EPDS scores. In conclusion healthcare providers should be aware of postpartum depression risk in nonworking women with a history of emesis and depression and apply the EPDS to them for early detection of postpartum depression.

[The prevalence of suicide ideation and suicide attempts in Manisa City Centre]. / Manisa Ili Kent Merkezinde Intihar Düsüncesi ve Girisimi Yayginligi.

OBJECTIVE: Suicide attempts are a major public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation and suicide attempts in Manisa city centre. Risk factors related to suicide ideations and attempts were also studied. METHOD: This study was carried out in Manisa city centre. Using cluster and systematic samples, data were collected from 1086 persons 15-65 years old. Separate questions were asked about the lifetime occurrence of suicide ideation (''Have you ever seriously thought about committing suicide?''), and suicide attempts (''Have you ever attempted suicide?''). A form for suicide attempters was used to determine the characteristics of the attempts. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalences of suicide ideation and suicide attempts were 6.6% (n=72) and 2.3% (n=25), respectively. Marital problems were the most common stressor in suicide attempts (44%, n=11). Approximately two thirds of the suicide attempters used a drug overdose for suicide. Of all the suicide attempters, 24% (n=6) had made previous attempts. The essential risk factors for suicide ideation were being female (p=0.012), smoking (p=0.001), consuming alcohol (p=0.028), having a previous psychiatric disorder (p<0.0001), and a family history of psychiatric disorders (p=0.021). The essential risk factors for suicide attempts were smoking (p=0.005), having a previous psychiatric disorder (p<0.0001), and a family history of psychiatric disorders (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that suicide attempts must be carefully evaluated in subjects with previous psychiatric disorders, previous suicide attempts and a family history of psychiatric disorders. It is necessary to know the clinical and demographic features related to suicide attempts.

[Which psychiatric label is more stigmatizating? "ruhsal hastalik" or "akil hastaligi"]. / Hangi etiket daha damgalayici: ruhsal hastalik mi? Akil hastaligi mi?

OBJECTIVE: To determine which of the two different labels, "ruhsal hastalik" or "akil hastaligi", used for psychiatric disorders by the public in Turkey is more stigmatizing. METHOD: This study was carried out at Celal Bayar University School of Health in Turkey. The questionnaire was designed by the researchers and applied to all students (n=272) present at the school on the day of application. The attitudes and opinions of students were investigated using case vignettes describing sczhizophrenia and major depression. RESULTS: It was seen that 0.8% of the students described the depression vignette as "akil hastaligi" while 78% described it as "ruhsal hastalik" with the schizophrenia vignette, 26% of students described it as "akil hastaligi" while 65% described it as "ruhsal hastalik". The participants who described the schizophrenia vignette as "akil hastaligi" stated that persons with symptoms like those of the schizophrenia vignette should not be free in the community (p<0.0001), they would not rent their house to a person with schizophrenia (p=0.013) and persons with schizophrenia are aggressive (p<0.0001); they had more negative attitudes than the participants who described it as "ruhsal hastalik" CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the concepts "akil hastaligi" and "ruhsal hastalik" are used in different ways and the concept "akil hastaligi" has a more stigmatizing meaning. Therefore "akil hastaligi" should be avoided by health professionals when dealing with patients.

[The public attitudes towards schizophrenia in a rural area in Turkey]. / Türkiye'de kirsal bir bölgede yasayan halkin sizofreniye iliskin tutumlari.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the public's attitude about schizophrenia and its related factors in a rural population. METHODS: This study was carried out in a village of Manisa. Of the 245 subjects which met the inclusion criteria, 230 subjects were reached and 208 of them constituted the sample of this study. The subjects filled out the sociodemographic information form and the 32-item subscale for schizophrenia of a public survey form which was developed by Psychiatric Research and Education Center. RESULTS: Of the 208 subjects, 76.3% appraised the schizophrenia as an illness, 62.0% considered it as a mental disease, 76.9% noted that social problems were the most frequent etiological factor, 66.8% denoted that the patient should consult with a psychiatrist for the treatment, 61.5% indicated that they would feel uncomfortable with a neighbor with schizophrenia, 61.1% declared that they didn't want to work with anyone with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: The majority of subjects in rural population recognize the schizophrenia as a mental disease. Social problems are determined as the first-rank etiological factor by the subjects. The public has an adequate knowledge about the treatment of schizophrenia. However they hesitate to apply to psychiatric treatment because of the fear of stigmatisation. The public has a reluctant attitude in becoming close to the patients and has a rejective attitude in keeping a certain distance with the patients. The sociodemographic factors do not seem to have any influence on the attitudes towards the schizophrenia.