Frequency of postpartum depression and its association with breastfeeding: A cross-sectional survey at immunization clinics in Islamabad, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the point frequency of post-partum depression among mothers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted at the immunisation clinics of General Hospital, Islamabad, and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Kahuta, Pakistan, in November 2015, and comprised women aged 18-44 years. Primary data collection was done through Edinburgh post-natal depression scale questionnaire. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

There were 434 participants in the study. Frequency of post-partum depression was 75(17.3%). The odds of post-partum depression was 2.3times more among non-exclusive breastfeeding mothers, 6.6 times more among women with no husband support, 6.1 times more among women with no family support, and 1.92 times more among women with youngest female child.

CONCLUSIONS

Exclusive breastfeeding had a strong association with post-partum depression.