Psychosocial impact of mothers with perinatal loss and its contributing factors: an insight.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the psychosocial impact among mothers with perinatal loss and its contributing factors.


METHODS
A cross sectional study was conducted in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from April 2008 to May 2009 using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and self administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixty-two respondents were included and most of them were working mothers (77.4%). The mean age of the respondents was (31.0+/-5.6) years and a majority of the subjects aged between 20-34 years (77.4%). According to the EPDS score, 53.2% of the respondents had a psychosocial impact with a total score of >9, out of 30. There was a significant relationship between psychosocial impact after perinatal loss and support from friends (P=0.019). However, there were no significant differences between psychosocial impact and history of previous perinatal loss, ethnicity, occupation, educational level, age or total income.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers with perinatal loss should be screened for psychosocial impact and offered support when needed. Family and friends should continue to provide emotional support. People who have experienced similar problem before will be able to provide better support than those who have not.
Sutan
Rosnah
R
Department of Community Health, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000, KL, Malaysia.
Amin
Rosnah Mohamad
RM
Ariffin
Khatija Banu
KB
Teng
Tang Zoun
TZ
Kamal
Mohd Faiz
MF
Rusli
Rusli Zaim
RZ
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D011584:Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult