Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Its Correlation With Breastfeeding in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study found that 62.2% of postpartum women in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, experience depression, but breastfeeding does not seem to protect against it.

Contribution

The study reports a high PPD prevalence in Saudi Arabia and finds no link between breastfeeding and PPD in this population.

Findings

The prevalence of postpartum depression was 62.2% among Saudi women in Makkah.

Breastfeeding status and duration showed no significant association with postpartum depression.

Maternal age and cesarean delivery were significantly linked to postpartum depression.

Abstract

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) represents a significant public health concern with potential adverse effects on maternal well-being and infant development. Breastfeeding has been suggested to have a bidirectional relationship with PPD. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PPD among Saudi women in Makkah and investigate its correlation with breastfeeding practices.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 postpartum mothers attending primary healthcare centres in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between June and December 2024. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for PPD (score ≥12 indicating PPD). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, breastfeeding status, and duration were collected. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of PPD was 62.2% among the study population. The majority of participants (92.1%) were breastfeeding. No significant association was found between breastfeeding status and PPD prevalence (χ²(1) = 0.019, p = 0.891) or EPDS scores (t(376) = 0.243, p = 0.808). Breastfeeding duration showed no significant correlation with EPDS scores (r = -0.076, p = 0.138). In multivariate analysis, maternal age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.343, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.150-0.783 for 38-44 years) and cesarean delivery (OR = 1.752, 95% CI = 1.093-2.806) were significantly associated with PPD.

Conclusions

Despite previous literature suggesting a protective effect of breastfeeding against PPD, our findings indicated no significant association between breastfeeding practices and PPD in this Saudi population. The notably high prevalence of PPD (62.2%) compared to previous studies in Saudi Arabia warrants urgent attention from healthcare providers and policymakers. Maternal age and delivery mode emerged as significant factors, highlighting the need for targeted screening and interventions, particularly for younger mothers and those undergoing cesarean sections.

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