Depression among postnatal women in an urban Irish community

Objectives:To estimate the prevalence of postnatal depression in a communit y sample of women in a disadvantaged urban area in West Dublin, and to exam ine the factors which may be associated with it. Method: All women who had a live birth in the area over a one year period w ere identified (944) and the self-rated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scal e (EPDS) was distributed to those who could be contacted by the public heal th nurses. Those scoring in the depressed range (> 12) were compared to non -depressed for age, marital status, employment, parity, presence of a confi dant, mode of delivery, previous miscarriage and previous psychiatric histo ry. Results: Contact was made with 596 women and 377 responded. Responders were older and more likely to be first time mothers, but there was no significa nt difference between responders and eligible population for marital status . One hundred and eight women (28.6%) scored in the depressed range. Ten so ciodemographic and clinical variables were entered into a logistic regressi on. Scores over the threshold (> 12), suggesting clinical depression, were significantly associated with four variables, lower age, absence of a confi dant, previous miscarriage and previous treatment for depression by a GP. Conclusions: A high prevalence of postnatal depression of 28.6% was reporte d, which may be associated with overall high levels of social disadvantage in this sample. There were implications for the targeting of resources into such areas. The associated factors are discussed.