P-179: Predisposing Factors of Postpartum Depression

Background: In the postpartum period, the highest risks for mood disorders include distress, depression and psychosis. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a syndrome which is more severe than postpartum distress with great influence on family. The aim was to determine the predisposing risk factors of PPD among fertile women. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with multi stage samplings of 233 women referred to Larestan health centers in Iran during 2 months post delivery. The data collection tools consisted of two questionnaires. The first questionnaire included demographic characteristics such as age, education, employment status, income, age at the time of marriage, age difference with spouse, periods of relationship before marriage, type of marriage, number of children, newborn's gender, accommodation status and residency. The second questionnaire was Beck depression inventory. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA, independent T test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: A significant relationship was noted between PPD and husband's working status (p=0.04). It means that women whose husbands worked in the Persian Gulf states showed the highest rate of depression. Whereas, there was no significant association between PPD and age (p=0.49), age by time of marriage (p=0.74), women education (p=0.24), women working (p=0.78), man education (p=0.46), age difference with spouse (p=0.76), period of dating before marriage (p=0.72), duration of marriage (p=0.27), contraception methods (p=0.90), husband's addiction (p=0.16), accommodation (p=0.29), residence (p=0.50), number of children (p=0.861), number of female children (p=0.16), and gender of newborns (p=0.82). Conclusion: Poor social supports, especially lack of supportive spouse, is a major risk factor for PPD among fertile women in Iran.