August 2016 · Volume 5 · Issue 8 Page 2691 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nigam A et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Aug;5(8):2691-2695 www.ijrcog.org pISSN 2320-1770 | eISSN 2320-1789 Research Article Postpartum depression in an Indian community: more prevalent less addressed issue Aruna Nigam 1 *, Anupam Prakash 2 , Neha Maheshwari 3 INTRODUCTION During the postpartum period, up to 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. In most women, symptoms are transient and mild, and are referred to as postpartum blues; however, it is the postpartum depression experienced by women, which is more disabling and is a persistent form of mood disturbance. 1,2 Postpartum depression may occur up to one year after childbirth, and its spectrum may range from mild depression to severe depression with suicidal tendencies. Post-partum depression is the most common and serious medical complication of child-bearing. 3 Despite this fact, too often, postpartum depression is dismissed as a normal or natural consequence of childbirth. It is very important to recognize postpartum depression because mothers with postpartum depression unconsciously exhibit fewer positive emotions and more negative emotions towards their children, are less responsive and less sensitive to infant cues, are less emotionally available, have a less successful maternal role attainment, and have infants that are less securely attached; and in extreme cases, some women may have thoughts of harming their children and make mother insensitive with child care. 4 1 Associate Professor, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India 2 Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India 3 Era's Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Received: 11 June 2016 Accepted: 02 July 2016 *Correspondence: Dr. Aruna Nigam, E-mail: prakasharuna@hotmail.com Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT Background: Postpartum depression is major health concern which not only has effect on maternal mortality and morbidity but also have effect on the cognitive and behavioral development of the child. Aims of the study was to study the prevalence of postpartum depression and its correlates. Methods: 100 women between 2 to 6 weeks of postpartum period were subjected to a pre-tested pre-structured standard questionnaire. Diagnosis of depression was made using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Possible depression is suggested by a score of 10 or greater; while values equal to 13 or more are invariably associated with depression. Results: The average age of the study group was 28.67±5.22 years and average duration of the post-partum period was 28.12±10.94 days. There was only one single parent in the study group; 77% were Hindus, 23% Muslims; 72% were housewives, while 22% were laborers. All subjects belonged to the low or middle socioeconomic groups. One- third of the subjects were illiterate. 93% had scores > 13 by use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. 89% of the subjects had five or more contributory factors out of 21 contributory factors studied. The most common contributory factors were- child care stress, life stress, low self-esteem, low social support, infant temperament problems, low socioeconomic status, prenatal depression and prenatal anxiety. Conclusions: There is high prevalence of postpartum depression outskirts of Lucknow. Thus it appears pertinent to screen all women for postpartum depression after child-birth in this area so as to improve maternal and child health. Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Prevalence, Postpartum period DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20162648