title: Screening for Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors among Women who Deliver at a University Hospital, Nepal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postpartum depression (PPD) is a neglected area of maternal health care in developing countries like Nepal; not only in the treatment aspect, but also, in the areas of research. However, it is important to identify and treat postpartum depression because it can have grave consequences for both the mother and her children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the screening prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression, among women who deliver at university hospital Nepal.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between postpartum depression and various factors. A total of 100 postpartum women who presented to a Dhulikhel hospital for delivery were interviewed on days 2-3 after delivery. The mothers were administered Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as well as a proforma that included questions about the known risk factors (sociodemographic and sociocultural factors, and mother-related, pregnancy-related, and child related factors).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall screening prevalence of depressive symptoms in the postnatal period (defined as EPDS=>13) was 29 %( 95% CI 20.1%-37.8%). On univariate analysis (chi square test), postpartum depression was significantly associated with pregnancy complications (p<0.01), infant's health problems (p< .001) and vaginal delivery (p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postpartum depression is common among Nepalese women and can be detected early in the postpartum periods; and many psychosocial factors like pregnancy complications, infant's health problems and vaginal delivery are associated with it. It is recommended that mothers with high risk should be routinely screened for postpartum depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumwar
authors.affiliation: Global health institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Mental Disease Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre Attarkhel, Kathmandu.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Risal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D066252:Sociological Factors; D055815:Young Adult