Navigating the postpartum transition: Demographic risk factors and screening for postpartum depression in resource-constrained environments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71085/rjhsa.04.02.96Keywords:
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Postpartum Depression, Maternal Health, Demographic Risk Factors, PakistanAbstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major public health concern, with disproportionately high prevalence rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan. Despite its severe impact on maternal and infant well-being, PPD remains heavily underdiagnosed in resource-constrained rural areas. This descriptive, correlational and cross sectional study aimed to screen postpartum women for PPD in District Bhakkar, Pakistan, and to systematically evaluate associated socio-demographic and obstetric risk factors. A sample of N = 200 postpartum mothers was evaluated using a structured demographic sheet and the Urdu version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Descriptive statistics revealed an overall mean PPD score of 10.15 (SD = 3.47), with 64.5% of participants exhibiting mild risk, 14.5% moderate risk, and 21.0% minimal risk. Independent sample t- test demonstrated significantly higher PPD symptom scores among older mothers, those residing in joint family systems, housewives, rural residents, mothers with arranged marriages, and those who underwent normal vaginal deliveries compared to C-sections (p = <.001). The higher occurrence of subclinical and moderate PPD risks underscores the vital need of integrating routine, culturally sensitive mental health screening into standard maternal healthcare procedures in underserved districts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dawra, Dr. Moazama Aanwar, Dr. Muhammad Luqman Khan (Author)
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