Postnatal depression: a narrative review

ABSTRACT

Postnatal depression (PND) is the most common psychiatric complication in women following childbirth. It affects 10–15% of women in the puerperium. Postnatal depression is of public health importance due to its effects on maternal morbidity and mortality and ramifications on the long-term wellbeing of the baby and therefore of the family. There is abundant literature on the etiological theories and management of PND from a biomedical perspective. However, culture has a determining role in the manifestation and management of depression following childbirth. Addressing the cultural and associated factors would aid in the recognition, care and prevention of depression in mothers. Most of the studies of PND are from the West, where the sociocultural background is distinctly different from that of Asian countries. Moreover, cultural customs in Asia itself are diverse. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore the relation between culture and associated factors in PND in Asian countries. An electronic database search was conducted and articles in English from 1983 to 2013 were retrieved. The titles and abstracts were screened and relevant articles were studied and discussed. Cultural factors have variable effects on PND. More research is indicated in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Postnatal depression
• postpartum
• culture
• Asia

Notes on contributors

Smitha Ramadas is Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India.

Ramesh Kumar is Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynecology in General Hospital, Thrissur, India.