title: Validating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale as a screening tool for postpartum depression in Kathmandu, Nepal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is considered well accepted screening tool for postpartum depression (PPD). The objective of the study was to validate the EPDS as a screening tool for postpartum depression in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hospital based cross sectional study using EPDS was conducted among 346 mothers between 4 and 14 weeks of postpartum period. All the participants were examined by psychiatrist for possible clinical PPD diagnosis using International Classification of Disease tenth revision (ICD-10). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for validation of EPDS. The best cut off point for Nepalese version of EPDS was identified and area of the receiver operating characteristics curve was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of PPD was 17.1 %.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Nepalese version EPDS was found to be 92, 95.6, 77 and 99.3 % respectively. The best cut-off point of EPDS for screening of PPD was found to be 12/13 and the area of the curve was 0.98 (95 % CI 0.970-0.994, p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of PPD is not that far from the previous studies of Nepal. Nepali version of EPDS was acceptable and the study demonstrates good validity, thus EPDS can be used as valid screening tool for PPD for early detection, prompt treatment and to prevent possible consequences.
authors: Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Babu Ram
authors: BR
authors: Bhusal
authors: Faculty of Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Nisha
authors: N
authors: Bhandari
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors: Manisha
authors: M
authors: Chapagai
authors: Curtin University, Bentley, WA Australia.
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Gavidia
keywords: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); Kathmandu; Nepal; Postpartum depression; Validation