Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression among Women in Southern Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a common mental health problem. It impacts maternal health and the mother-infant relationships. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of PPD among southern Jordanian women and find its related factors. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted from August to December 2023 on 434 women aged 20-45 years attending medical centers for receiving obstetric and neonatal services in southern Jordan, who were selected using a convenience sampling method. They completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a sociodemographic/obstetric form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean EPDS score was 15.57±4.71. It was found that 74.7% of women were at risk of PPD (An EPDS score >13). The EPDS score had a significant positive correlation with the number of previous pregnancies (r = 0.44, P = 0.001) and age at marriage (r = 0.39, P= 0.001) and a negative correlation with educational level (r= -0.15, P= 0.012). No significant associations were found between the EPDS score and the factors of age, occupation, income, smoking, abortion history, or family size (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results highlight the need for targeted mental health screening for Jordanian women with higher parity, older age of marriage, and lower education. Further qualitative research is recommended to explore the underlying causes and develop culturally tailored interventions.