BURDEN AND BARRIERS: POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, KNOWLEDGE GAPS, AND HEALTH SYSTEM CHALLENGES IN URBAN PAKISTAN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Postpartum depression, maternal mental health, public health, antenatal care, Pakistan, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS).
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major global public health concern, with prevalence disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Pakistan, systemic gaps in mental healthcare and sociocultural barriers contribute to a high burden of undiagnosed and untreated PPD.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of PPD and assess associated sociodemographic factors, awareness levels, and the perceived role of the public health sector among mothers at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 postpartum women within eight weeks of delivery at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. A structured questionnaire was used, incorporating the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and sections on sociodemographic, awareness, and healthcare experiences. An EPDS score of ≥10 indicated risk for PPD. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: The prevalence of PPD risk was 24.8%. Significant associations were found between higher EPDS scores and lack of PPD awareness during antenatal visits (p=0.045), low utilization of mental health resources (p=0.05), and moderate satisfaction with public health support (p=0.001). Most participants (68.6%) received no PPD information antenatal, and 81% did not use any public health resources for support.
Conclusion: There is a high frequency of PPD among mothers in this setting, compounded by critical gaps in awareness and healthcare system support. The findings underscore an urgent need for integrating routine PPD screening, antenatal education, and accessible mental health services into Pakistan’s maternal healthcare framework.
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Erum Khan
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University
Sarwat Sultana
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University
Beena Zehra
Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University
Talat Samreen
Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi Metropolitan University
Nuzhat Firdous
Principal, College of Nursing and Midwifery, Zaiuddin University Sukkur Campus
Rakhshinda Younus
Assistant Professor Department of Pathology, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard University
