PAKISTANI WOMEN’S POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION PREVALENCE AND CULTURAL BARRIERS

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Postpartum depression (PPD) is fairly prevalent among women, yet considering cultural norms and the absence of mental health care in Pakistani culture this issue remains quite prevalent. The objective of this study was to assess the rate of PPD among women of Pakistan and to understand cultural factors that hinder use of mental health services in three districts of Punjab.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to September 2024 in three districts of Punjab: Using the method of stratified random sampling, 400 women in the first six months’ postpartum were recruited. Information on cultural, social and logistical factors pertaining to mental health service utilization were obtained from the participants using questionnaires. Determining between-group differences was done with descriptive statistics, chi-square, non-parametric tests Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal Wallis. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted in order to identify the correlations between the demographic, cultural and healthcare characteristics.

Results
Among 400 women examined 152 (38%) had the score of thirteen or above on the EPDS and therefore have the manifestations of PPD. Thus, mental health care was rarely utilised, with total of only 5% of these women (8) ever having consulted a professional in that regard. Participants identified that cultural stigma was the biggest hindrance (82%) to seek help; for family support (69%); and financial problems (62%).Results shows the mean depression scores for women who delivered a female child compared to women who delivered a male child (F = 149.52, p < 0.001). The results further showed that perceived barriers and educational level and or family income were (p < 0.01) related,