Postnatal Depression in Middle Class Pakistani Women

Abstract

Objective: To assess the presence of Postnatal Depression in middle class Pakistani women.
Material & Methods: This observational study was conducted in department of Gynaecology
and Obstetrics Hameed Latif Hospital, Lahore from 1st November 2009 to 31st October,
2010.Women between the age of 20 to 40 presenting to the obstetrical unit for simple vaginal
delivery and caesarian section were included and were observed for 40 post natal days. Any
woman with co-morbid factors such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension were excluded from
the study. The Edinburgh post natal depression scale was used to assess and identify postnatal
depression.
Results: 250 women belonging to middle or upper social class were studied. 94 (38%) were
identified with post natal depression. 5 needed referral to a psychiatrist; the rest responded to
counseling and support. Educational level had a direct bearing on the condition. Most women had
never heard of post natal depression.
Conclusion: Post natal depression affects a significant number of Pakistani women but is not
recognized; there needs to be better education of women in general and obstetricians in particular
to manage this condition.