Postpartum depressive symptoms in the context of high social adversity and reproductive health threats: a population-based study (original) (raw)

Background: Postpartum depression is an important but neglected public health issue in low-and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms and associated factors in a rural Ethiopian setting characterized by high social adversity and reproductive health threats. We hypothesized that infant gender preference would be associated with PPD symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in Sodo district, southern Ethiopia, between March and June 2014. A total of 3147 postpartum women (one to 12 months after delivery) were recruited and interviewed in their homes. The questionnaire included demographic, reproductive health and psychosocial factors in addition to a culturally validated measure of depressive symptoms, the Patient Health Questionnaire. Scores of 5 or more were indicative of high levels of PPD symptoms. Results: The prevalence of high PPD symptoms was 12.2%, with 95% confidence interval (CI) between 11.1 and 13.4. Of these, 12.0% of the study participants had suicidal ideation. Preference of the husband for a boy baby was associated with PPD symptoms in univariate analysis (crude odds ratio 1.43: 95% CI 1.04, 1.91) but became non-significant after adjusting for confounders. In the final multivariable analysis, rural residence [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.56: 95%