Comparative analysis of the risk of postpartum depression in Poland and Zimbabwe and identification of risk factors

Objectives: Postpartum depression is a common and serious mental health problem which is associated with maternal distress and negative consequences for the offspring. Research confirms the presence of differences in the prevalence of postpartum depression in different social groups. The aim of this study was to compare the severity of maternal symptoms in Poland and Zimbabwe and to identify risk factors occurring in both groups. Material and methods: The survey was conducted in 2022 among mothers who gave birth at the Department of Neonatology and Rare Diseases and at the Mpilo Central Hospital Maternity Clinic.The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess the risk of postnatal depression. A total of 945 patients were included. Results: The study indicated statistically significant differences in the percentage of women with an increased risk of postpartum depression, with the percentage for the Polish group being 13.54% and the Zimbabwean group 35.74%. For the Zimbabwean group, the risk of depression was associated with a problem in obtaining breastmilk and these were women in informal partnerships or those without a stable partner. In the group of Polish patients there was evidence of a correlation between increased risk and having a stable, non-formalised relationship. Conclusions: According to the analysis, women in Zimbabwe are more likely to be at risk of postpartum depression than Polish women. PPD remains an important issue in obstetric practice, and it is necessary to sensitize health care personnel to the risk of PPD to make timely and appropriate clinical interventions.