Work

Paternal Postpartum Depression in South Asia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a well-recognized perinatal mental health condition, yet its occurrence among fathers remains poorly studied, particularly in South Asia where patriarchal norms obscure men's psychological distress. Objective: To examine the prevalence, assessment tools, risk and protective factors, and interventions for paternal PPD (PPPD) across South Asian countries. Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, BanglaJOL, NepJOL, and Google using search terms. Research articles eligible for inclusion were original studies, quantitative analyses published in English from South Asian region. Descriptive analysis was performed considering the objectives. Results: was the most commonly used tool; the prevalence of PPPD ranged from 3% to 60%. Associated factors also varied from study to study. Conclusions: PPD among fathers has received academic attention in the recent decade in South Asia. Public health systems need to integrate paternal screening into maternal and child health programs, develop culturally validated tools, and train healthcare professionals to recognize gender-specific presentations of depression.

Source: Public Health Challenges

DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70281

Authors: S. M. Yasir Arafat, Sadeed Hossain

Institution: Biomedical Research Foundation

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, Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,650