Prediction of postpartum depression based on women's quality of life

Background. Postpartum depression is the most common problem after childbirth. Objectives. To determine the level postpartum depression, quality of life and predict postpartum depression based on the quality of life of women. Material and methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The research population consisted of women who were reporting to health care centres in Hamadan, Iran, 2 to 4 weeks after delivery. A total of 300 eligible women were selected using the cluster sampling method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire that consisted of three sections: demographic characteristics, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Edinburgh depression questionnaire. SF-36 was used to measure quality of life, which includes eights dimension. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics, Pearson' correlation and linear multiple regression analysis were used. Results. The mean age was 28.6 +/- 5.2 years. The average quality of life scores in individuals were within a moderate level, the highest score was related to physical function, and the lowest score was related to role impairment due to physical health. Postpartum depression was determined in 25% of women, of which 7% had severe depression. Physical functioning (p = 0.32), role impairment due to emotional health (p = 002), energy/fatigue (p = 0.010), emotional well-being (p = 002) and social function (p = 0.002) were significant predictors of postpartum depression. Conclusions. Considering the high rate of postpartum depression, improving quality of life aspects, early diagnosis of postpartum depression and appropriate care for women after childbirth, especially those of a low socio-economic status, are suggested.