title: Postnatal depression: a Christchurch study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to enquire into the incidence of postnatal depression (PND) and factors associated with it, in a New Zealand population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A wide ranging postal questionnaire, which included the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), was administered to a sample of 1330 women 6-9 months after the birth of their babies at Christchurch Women's Hospital, in 1991/2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measured on the EPDS, 80% of the women were not depressed, 7% were at a threshold level of depression and 13% were more severely depressed. Only 6% recognised their symptoms as depression. The factors having the greatest association with high depression scores were: depressive symptoms before and during the pregnancy; serious deterioration in the partner relationship after the birth; decreased energy, confidence and happiness levels after the pregnancy; moderate or severe premenstrual tension prepregnancy; frequent nausea in later pregnancy; low education and low income.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postnatal depression appears to be more widespread than is generally realised. The findings suggest that, at the time of postnatal checks on the baby, greater use could be made of the EPDS to increase confidence in a diagnosis of depression. Involvement of male partners in the treatment process is highly desirable.
authors.affiliation: NZ Family Planning Association, Christchurch.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sweet
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012307:Risk Factors