Is there a role for the family and close community to help reduce the risk of postpartum depression in new mothers? A cross-sectional study of Turkish women.

OBJECTIVES

Postpartum depression is an important and under-diagnosed problem. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the prevalence of depressive symptomology in Turkish mothers who were 1-3 months postpartum with the prevalence of depressive symptomology in mothers who had not been pregnant for at least 1 year, (2) to identify risk factors associated with depression in both groups, and (3) to examine the effect of postpartum depression on breastfeeding by the mothers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study

SETTING

Well-baby clinic

PARTICIPANTS

326 women enrolled in January 2001; 163 were 1-3 months postpartum, and 163 had not been pregnant in the previous year.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depressive symptomology in the postpartum and non-postpartum groups was 17% (28/163) and 24.5% (40/163), respectively; this was not statistically significant (P = 0.102). When we compared mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (10.75 +/- 8.06 and 12.63 +/- 8.81, respectively, P = 0.045). Premenstrual tension and a history of depression were risk factors for depressive symptomology in both groups. Three or more births and a history of induced abortion were risk factors for depressive symptomology in the non-postpartum group. In the postpartum group, the effect of depression on breast-feeding was not statistically significant (P = 0.7). The generalisability of the study results to the community is limited.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of depressive symptomology in the postpartum and non-postpartum groups did not show a significant difference, but the prevalence of depressive symptomology was high in both groups. Postpartum depression did not have a negative effect on breast-feeding. Lower BDI scores in the postpartum period may be the result of the protective factors of motherhood which is a respected status for women in populations where the preservations of traditions and customs are valued.