Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Postpartum Depression in the Immediate Postpartum Period: A Cross-sectional Study in a Secondary Care Hospital Setting, India

Background

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern affecting maternal and infant well-being. Evidence from India remains limited within secondary care settings, where early postpartum contact offers an opportunity for timely screening.

Objectives

The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of immediate postpartum PPD and examine its associations with sociodemographic and obstetric factors among women in a secondary care hospital in South India.

Materials and Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 postpartum women assessed within 24-48 hr of delivery. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires and a review of medical records. PPD was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Moderate-to-high PPD risk was defined as an EPDS score ≥7. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyse associations between predictor variables and PPD risk.

Results

The mean EPDS score was 3.94±4.18. The prevalence of moderate-to-high PPD risk (EPDS ≥7) was 17.6% (95% CI: 10.9%-24.3%). Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between PPD risk and education level (p=0.020) and household income (p=0.019). No variable remained statistically significant in multivariable logistic regression, though lower income (adjusted OR=4.85, 95% CI: 0.94-25.03) and college education (adjusted OR=7.09, 95% CI: 0.66-76.60) approached significance.

Conclusion

Nearly one in five postpartum women assessed during the immediate postpartum period demonstrated moderate-to-high PPD risk. These findings underscore the importance of integrating early PPD screening into postpartum care pathways, particularly in secondary care hospitals, to support timely detection and intervention.