Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common mental health conditions in new mothers, and negatively impacts newborn care, mother-baby interaction/bonding, and familial relationships. Objective: To identify the prevalence and risk factors of PPD in parturient-delivered babies at a tertiary medical facility in Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital (BAH), Bangkok, Thailand, between October 2023 and October 2024. Participants were pregnant women who delivered their babies and attended the postpartum clinic at BAH. At the postpartum ward, patients were counseled before signing a written consent form. A Thai version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used for PPD evaluation at four to six weeks. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the BAH electronic database. Results: Five hundred thirteen participants were recruited in the present study. The mean age was 29.3 years old. The prevalence of PPD was 12.1% (62 out of 513). Risk factors for PPD were being a single mother (adj. OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.5 to 20.2), alcohol drinker (adj. OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 8.3), neonatal complication (adj. OR 6.6, 95% CI 1.8 to 24.2), premenstrual syndrome (adj. OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.3), no childcare support (adj. OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.2 to 11.7), and previous depression (adj. OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.5 to 16.8). Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD was 12.1%. Risk factors of PPD were a single mother, alcohol drinker, neonatal complication, premenstrual syndrome, inadequate or absent childcare support, no familial psycho-social support, and previous depression.