Incidence of postnatal depression in Malaysian women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of postnatal depression of Malaysias women at 6 week postpartum and a survey of their sociocultural practices.


METHODS
A hundred and fifty-four women who were 6 weeks postpartum attending the postnatal clinic between May and July 1995 at Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Seremban, Malaysia. Maternal socio-demography, depression by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), postnatal care and practices e.g. pantang larang (prohibited behaviour and practices), diet and partnering were evaluated.


RESULTS
Postnatal depression was 3.9%. Indians had the highest rate at 8.5% as compared to Malays (3.0%) and none in Chinese (p < 0.05). There were no demographic differences in the study groups. Average score of EPDS was 4.05 which ranged from 0 to 20. During the confinement 85.7% of women took special diet; 64.3% followed pantang larang and 78.8% had someone to look after them. The incidence of postnatal depression is low in Malaysia at 3.9%. Majority of Malaysian women still observed the traditional postnatal beliefs and practices.
Kit
L K
LK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Seremban, Malaysia.
Janet
G
G
Jegasothy
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003625:Data Collection; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors