Work

Prevalence of postpartum depression and associated factors among mothers in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common psychiatric illness after childbirth which affects the health of mothers and children. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of suspected-PPD and associated factors among postpartum women in Afghanistan. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted at 17 health facilities in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. Data (socio-demographic factors, obstetric and clinical factors, and social support factors) were collected from 556 women 6–8 weeks postpartum from January to February 2021. When a total score of the Persian-version Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was 13 or higher, women were categorized into suspected-PPD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with suspected-PPD. Results The prevalence of suspected-PPD was 49.3 %. Factors associated with suspected-PPD were no education compared to secondary or higher education, monthly household income of ≤20,000 Afghani compared to ≥21,000 Afghani, husbands with no education compared to husbands with secondary or higher education, husband's occupation as farmer/laborer/unemployed compared to other employment, experience of a child death, antenatal care (ANC) visits <4, perinatal complications, cesarean section, low birth weight, history of depression, and husband's substance use. Conclusions In Afghanistan, the prevalence of suspected-PPD was high. Low socio-economic status, mental problems of women and their husbands, less use of ANC, and complications of mothers and babies were risk factors of PPD. The maternal and child healthcare system should be promoted and maternal and child health education including PPD should be provided to pregnant women and their families.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e44261

Authors: Muhammad Shuaib Shahram, Eiko Yamamoto, Aeraj Feroz, Sayed Ismail Sadat

Institutions: Ministry of Public Health, Nagoya University

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270