Evaluation of Sociocultural, Obstetric, and Child Related Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression in Bushehr, Southwest of Iran

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) can have serious consequences for both the mother and infant. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of postnatal depression and associated sociocultural, obstetrics and child-related factors among Iranian women. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in Bushehr, Iran. ۲۹۰ women from ۱۰ public health centers were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from women within ۱۲ weeks postpartum in ۲۰۱۹. PPD was assessed using Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale (EPDS), and score of >۱۲ was considered having PPD. Results: The mean age of the respondents was ۲۸.۴۸ ± ۵.۵۰ years. The prevalence of depression was ۲۴.۱% in ۱۲ weeks after delivery. Higher social support was associated with lower PPD [OR: ۰.۹۲, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۸۸, ۰.۹۵; p <۰.۰۰۱]. The risk of developing PPD was ۴.۸۴ times higher in mothers with cesarean section [OR: ۴.۸۴, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۸۹, ۱۲.۳۶; p =۰.۰۰۱], ۵.۱۹ times higher with preterm birth [OR: ۵.۱۹, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۴۴, ۱۸.۲۷; p =۰.۰۱], ۴.۴۷ times higher with a history of depression [OR: ۴.۴۷, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۴۰, ۱۴.۲۴; p =۰.۰۰۹]. The women who were satisfied with their marital relationship [OR: ۰.۱۶, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۰۲, ۰.۹۶; p=۰.۰۴], and the baby's sleep habits [OR: ۰.۳۶, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۱۵, ۰.۸۲; p =۰.۰۱] were less likely to suffer from PPD. Conclusion Postpartum depression was found common among mothers. The poor social support, poor marital relationship, cesarean section, preterm birth, positive history of depression, and adverse baby's sleep habits were associated with PPD. The vulnerable women should monitor their mental status and should be educated about the effective intervention strategies.