Prevalence and associated factors of potential postpartum depression among Turkish women and women under temporary protection in Mersin, Türkiye

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of potential postpartum depression (PPD) and its associated factors among women who gave birth within the past year in Mersin, including those under temporary protection.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mersin in 2024. The study population consisted of Turkish women and women under temporary protection who had given birth within the last year in the Mezitli district. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to identify the presence of potential PPD. In this study, chi-square tests, binary logistic regression were employed to identify associated factors for postpartum depression, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05.Results: A total of 415 women participated in the study, of whom 237 (57.1%) were Turkish women. The mean age of the participants was 30.4±5.7 years (min: 18, max: 45). The potential PPD was detected in 37.3% of the participants. The prevalence was found to be 24.5% among Turkish women and 54.5% among those under temporary protection (p<0.001). Logistic regression showed increased potential PPD risk with maternal illiteracy/limited literacy [odds ratio (OR)=4.3], being under temporary protection (OR=3.9), insufficient husband support (OR=2.6), and maternal feelings of inadequacy in infant care (OR=2.7) (p<0.001).Conclusion: The leading risk factors found to significantly increase the risk of potential PPD were being under temporary protection, low educational status of the mother’s own mother, maternal perception of inadequacy in infant care, and lack of husband support.