The burden of postpartum depression and its socio-demographic and obstetric correlates among parturient in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study finds that nearly half of women in Bangladesh experience postpartum depression, with work, past depression, and pregnancy complications as key risk factors.

Contribution

The study identifies specific socio-demographic and obstetric correlates of postpartum depression in Bangladesh using a large cross-sectional sample.

Findings

47.78% of women in Bangladesh experience postpartum depression, with 29.07% having major depression.

Labor work, previous depression, and pregnancy complications are significant risk factors for postpartum depression.

Perceiving pregnancy or delivery as difficult increases the likelihood of postpartum depression.

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10–15% of women globally and up to 35% in Bangladesh, yet remains under-researched across different healthcare settings. This cross-sectional study aimed to assessed the prevalence and its socio-demographic and obstetric correlates among 540 women attending tertiary, secondary, and primary healthcare centers for routine post-natal care in Bangladesh, 4–12 weeks after delivery. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for PPD (cut-off ≥10), and socio-demographic, reproductive, and obstetric data were collected through structured questionnaires. Logistic regression identified significant predictors of PPD. The prevalence of PPD was 47.78% (95% CI: 43.49–52.09), with 29.07% experiencing major depression (EPDS ≥13). Women engaged in labor work (AOR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.70–15.70, p = 0.01), having a previous history of depression (AOR = 3.38, 95% CI: 2.17–5.28, p < 0.01), irregular menstruation (AOR = 3.58, 95% CI: 1.39–9.18, p = 0.01), a history of abortion (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.03–2.93, p = 0.03), and complications during pregnancy (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.95–4.50, p < 0.01) were at significantly higher risk of PPD. Furthermore, perceiving pregnancy as average (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.16–3.76, p = 0.01) or difficult (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.85–6.49, p < 0.01), and delivery as average (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.41–4.47, p < 0.01) or difficult (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.04–3.02, p = 0.03), were also associated with increased risk. These findings highlight that PPD is highly prevalent among Bangladeshi women, with multiple socio-demographic and obstetric risk factors. Integrating EPDS screening into routine postnatal care could enable early detection and timely intervention, thereby improving maternal mental health outcomes.

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