POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AT SECONDARY HEALTHCARE LEVEL IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1806Keywords:
Post-Partum Depression, DSM-V, Depression, Resource-limited settingsAbstract
Background: Postpartum depression is a global phenomenon. The magnitude is even wider when it comes to developing countries compared to industrialized counterparts. Identification of depression by healthcare works at levels is necessary to provide adequate support and resources to women suffering from postpartum depression to improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with depression among postpartum patients presenting to a secondary healthcare facility in Timergara District, Lower Dir. Methods: A total of 382 women, 6 to 8 weeks postpartum were registered from 1st March, 2024 to 31st October, 2024. Participants’ and their partners’ sociodemographic profile as well as obstetrical, neonatal, and psychiatric data were gathered using a self-devised structured questionnaire. DSM-V criteria were used to identify postpartum depression disorder. SPSS-25 was used to analyze data. Results: Fifty-seven (57.2%) patients were in the age group 18–30 years, 98 (25.65%) patients fulfilled the definition of postpartum depression. Their mean age was 29.07±5.59 years. A significant association (p<0.05) was observed between the planned nature of pregnancy, infant’s gender and the patient’s relation with in-laws with postpartum depression. Conclusion: Postpartum depression is prevalent among younger mothers particularly those experiencing social dissatisfaction, unplanned pregnancies and giving birth to female babies.
Pak J Physiol 2026;22(1):20–3, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1806
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nazia Wahid, Zainab Nazneen, Sobia Ali, Hina Iftikhar, Kashmine Mehboob, Arooj Batool
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