Cultural Attitudes toward Postpartum Depression in Dhaka, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet in many cultures, it remains unaddressed and unacknowledged. Postpartum depression is particularly delicate because of its association with gender and expectations of motherhood. This ethnographic study in Dhaka, Bangladesh sought to understand local perceptions of postpartum depression and cultural influences around mental health care seeking. The results describe the role of culture and stigma in the conceptualization of mental health within both the community and medical spheres. Mental health continues to be unacknowledged and neglected in Bangladeshi communities. We recommend community-based psychosocial programming for new mothers living in slums.

KEYWORDS:

• Bangladesh
• maternal health
• mental health
• postpartum
• psychosocial
• stigma

Acknowledgments

The James P. Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University provided supervision of and technical support for data collection and analysis, as well as office space and resources. The authors would like to thank Dr. Malabika Sarker’s Research Team for support and assistance throughout data collection. We also thank the BRAC Community Health Worker Program for assistance with participant recruitment. The Ethical Review Committee of the James P. Grant School of Public Health approved this study.

Funding

The US State Department and Institute of International Education through the US Fulbright Program funded this research. Anaise Williams was the recipient of a US Fulbright Student Research Grant.

Additional information

Funding

The US State Department and Institute of International Education through the US Fulbright Program funded this research. Anaise Williams was the recipient of a US Fulbright Student Research Grant.

Notes on contributors

Anaise Williams

Anaise Williams is an MPH candidate at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in the program on Forced Migration and Health. She has a BA in anthropology from the University of Rochester. She has worked on human rights and women’s health studies in Thailand, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

Malabika Sarker

Malabika Sarker is a professor and acting dean at the James P. Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University. As director of research at the school, Dr. Sarker has published in several international peer-reviewed journals, authored book chapters, and specializes in mixed-methods research.

Syeda Tahmina Ferdous

Syeda Tahmina Ferdous is an MA in English Literature candidate at BRAC University. She works as an interpreter and data analyst for studies focused on women in Bangladesh.