title: Screening for postpartum depression using Kurdish version of Edinburgh postnatal depression scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the important public health problems affecting maternal and child health is postpartum depression (PPD). It generally occurs within 6-8 weeks after childbirth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) using a Kurdish version of Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS) and to analyze the risk factors for postpartum depression in a population of puerperal Kurdish women in Erbil city.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted between 20th of June and 30th of November 2010, in 14 antenatal care units of primary health centers, in Erbil city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. The sample of the study included 1,000 puerperal women (6-8 weeks postpartum), ranging in age from 14 to 48 years. Data were collected after interviewing the women using a questionnaire designed by the researchers, and the Kurdish version of the EPDS. Chi square test of association and the logistic regression tests were used in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of postpartum depression was 28.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors found to be associated with PPD were: physical or sexual abuse, delivery by cesarean section, history of past psychiatric illness, and family history of past psychiatric illness; while marriage with no previous agreement, and high socio-economic level were associated with lower levels of PPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Kurdish version of the EPDS can be successfully used to screen depression in a Kurdish population of puerperal women.
authors.affiliation: Maternity Nursing Unit, Hawler Medical University, College of Nursing, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq. hamdia76@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hamdia Mirkhan
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Shahla Kareem
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Alalaf
authors.forename: Namir Ghanim
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Al-Tawil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult