A Study to Explore the Prevalence of Postpartum Depression Among Women in Rural and Urban Area of Bengaluru

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant maternal mental health issue, affecting an estimated 13–19% of mothers. It can impair a woman’s ability to manage daily life, work effectively, and engage fully in her community. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD among postnatal mothers, identify associated risk factors, compare prevalence between rural and urban areas, and evaluate the impact of awareness and counselling interventions. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted over six months in Bengaluru, Karnataka, involving 569 post-delivery women from primary health centres and Anganwadi centres in both rural and urban areas. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic, pregnancy, and delivery-related characteristics, along with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to screen for PPD. Results: The overall prevalence of PPD was 17.2% (98/569), with the majority of cases (95.9%) occurring among mothers aged 20-35 years. Significant associated factors included age at marriage, occupation, household wealth index, education, gender of child, family support, mode of breast feeding and pregnancy-related complications. Rural mothers had a slightly higher prevalence (54.1%) compared to urban mothers (45.9%). Awareness and understanding of PPD improved notably following counselling and distribution of Patient Information Leaflets (PIL). Conclusion: PPD remains a notable public health concern in both rural and urban settings. Early detection, timely referral, and targeted interventions particularly those addressing identified risk factors and enhancing awareness can substantially improve maternal emotional well-being in the postpartum period.