Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in early postnatal period and its relationship with obstetric risk factors. Material and Methodology: This is a cross sectional study involving 293 women from postnatal ward Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Malaysia. They were screened for depression at day 1 to day 5 postpartum and 4 to 6 weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). At the first visit, the women completed questionnaires on socio-demography and obstetric risk factors and Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (BPHQ-9). At the second visit which is 4-6 weeks postpartum, they only completed EPDS. Results: Two hundred and ninety-three women successfully completed the study (100% response rates). The prevalence of PND at 4-6 weeks postpartum using the EPDS score of 12 or more was 27.3%. Women with the history of abortion (p < 0.05) and early postnatal depression (p < 0.05) was significantly associated with PND. Conclusion: Postnatal depression among women in Hospital USM was more common compared to previously reported series in Malaysia. Women with the history of abortion and early postnatal depression were significantly associated with PND. © 2009 Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.