Factores asociados a la depresión posparto en puérperas de un hospital peruano

Background

Postpartum depression can lead to situations in new mothers that affect baby care, impacting their feeding by reducing adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors associated with this condition.

Objective

To determine which sociodemographic factors are associated with postpartum depression in postpartum women at a Peruvian hospital.

Materials and methods

Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical research.

Design

Case-control research design.

Site

Regional Hospital of Ica-Peru.

Participants

A total of 173 cases (postpartum women at risk of postpartum depression) were studied and compared with 173 controls (postpartum women without risk of postpartum depression). All participants were surveyed between the months of May and October 2022, 15 to 30 days after delivery.

Interventions

Survey.

Main measures

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to obtain the metric of the dependent variable, and a general data sheet to obtain independent variables. The cutoff point for the Edinburgh Scale was ≥ 13.

Results

The prevalence of postpartum depression was 18.8% (95% CI = 16.3-21.3). The associated factors were: Age under 20 years OR: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.4-3.4) p = 0.001. Higher education level OR: 4.5 (95% CI: 2.8-7.0) p = 0.000. Single marital status OR: 4.4 (95% CI: 2.8-6.9) p = 0.000. Poor relationship with partner OR: 3.9 (95% CI: 2.4-6.1) p = 0.000. Use of Psychotropic drugs OR: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7-4.4) p = 0.000. Complications during labor OR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.6-4.3) p = 0.000. Cesarean delivery OR: 3.3 (95% CI: 2.1-5.1) p = 0.000. History of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy OR: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7-4.2) p = 0.000. Employment status OR: 3.2 (95% CI: 2.1-5.0) p = 0.000.

Conclusion

Postpartum depression is associated with sociodemographic variables in the patient's environment that require timely intervention to reduce negative effects on both the mother and the child.

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