Files and links (1)
Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Exploring prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression among Ukrainian women
European journal of midwifery, Vol.8(July)
2024
Abstract
Introduction
Postpartum depression negatively impacts maternal mental health and child development. The high prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in low and lower middle-income countries raises questions about its predictors. This study examines the association between PPD and breastfeeding experience, child death, unresolved pregnancy, forced displacement, COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, marital, and financial status among Ukrainian women.
Methods
This online study recruited 1634 Ukrainian mothers of children aged 0–5 years through non-governmental organizations providing services to them. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a cut-off of ≥13, was used to assess depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Independent t-tests, chi-squared tests, one-way ANOVA, non-parametric correlations, and logistic regression tests were used to analyze the data.
Results
The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 39.0% (n=1631). There was a positive association between EPDS scores and breastfeeding difficulties, pandemic lockdown, and financial difficulties. We did not find an association between PPD symptoms and unresolved pregnancy, death of a child, being affected by COVID-19, and forced displacement. We found that EPDS scores for women who did not experience forced displacement (n=1528) were significantly higher compared to displaced mothers (n=74).
Conclusions
The present study of Ukrainian women shows that women experienced depressive symptoms influenced by various factors including breastfeeding difficulties, pandemic lockdown, and financial difficulties. There is a need for additional research into such factors as unresolved pregnancy, the death of a child, being affected by COVID-19, and forced displacement.
Details
- Title
- Exploring prevalence and factors associated with postpartum depression among Ukrainian women
- Authors/Creators
- Nataliia Gusak - School of Social Work, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, UkraineSally Kendall - University of KentOlena Nizalova - University of Kent
- Publication Details
- European journal of midwifery, Vol.8(July)
- Publisher
- European Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005682649707891
- Copyright
- © 2024 Gusak N. et al
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Metrics
6 File views/ downloads
57 Record Views