Predictors of Postpartum Depression in an Iranian Population, 2006

Background: Postpartum depression has serious complications. There are various risk factors for postpartum depression and in some cases these are controversial. Objectives: This study tested the prevalence of postpartum depression and its related factors in Kashan, Iran, in 2006. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 460 women referred to Kashan’s health centers, during the second and third months after childbirth, were enrolled. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to make a diagnosis of depression. Other variables such as; type of delivery, satisfaction with husband, and demographic features were also assessed. Data were analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and regression analysis, using SPSS 16 software. Results: The prevalence of severe and moderate depression was 28.9%. Our findings did not reveal any significant relationship between; type of delivery, unwanted pregnancy, gender of neonate, duration of marriage and gravidity with postpartum depression (P >0.05). The stepwise regression analysis showed that depression made a significant model with; satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother. Conclusions: Satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother are the important risk factors for postpartum depression.