Abstract: postpartum or postnatal depression (PPD) is deemed as the one of the most common psychological disorders among women in their childbearing age. It affects both mother and child health. Internationally, in terms of total disability PPD is only second to HIV/AIDS. Mental health of childbearing age women in Arabian Gulf countries requires an obvious understanding of certain factors associated with the culture. The aim of this review is to examine the available studies and data on postpartum depression in Gulf region, and determine the risk factors that associated with this mental disorder in this particular population.
Method: Various electronic research databases were used like PubMed, Google scholar for this review.
Results: The majority of studies using cross-sectional method as study design and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were the most frequent instrument used in reviewed studies with different cutoff point for depression diagnosis. PPD prevalence rate among Arabian Gulf women ranging from 10% to 45.9% within first six months postpartum. The most common risk factors identified in reviewed studies are unwanted pregnancy, not breastfeeding and life stressors events.
Conclusion: This review provides evidence that a significant proportion of Arabian Gulf mothers experience impairment in their psychological health and social adaptation after childbirth. The study review demonstrates an importance for further studies with a concentration on the advancement of suitable screening scales and respect of cultural issues in the management of such people.
Keywords: Postpartum, depression, women, Arab.
Title: Postpartum depression among Arabian Gulf population: a literature review
Author: Ahmad Hamad Aldosary
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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