Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression among Women: A Review Paper

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most serious problems that affect women and sometimes men in the postpartum period, it can be distinguished from the postpartum blues by the severity and duration. PPD is more serious and persist after the first week of the postpartum period, and can develop to Psychosis if doesn’t treat. This review to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression. Method: An electronic search in the databases, Cochrane databases for systemic review, ELM, Google Scholar, and Pub Med, using the keywords of Postpartum Depression, Postnatal depression, Risk Factors, and Prevalence. Result: After reviewing 23 studies, the prevalence worldwide was one in nine women had PPD. The risk factors were: psychosocial factors like lack of support, history of previous psychiatric illness, biological factors such as the deficiency of some nutrients (Vit-D, Omega-3, the race and ethnicity, the place of residence, the newborn health condition, mode of birth, and Anemia. Conclusion: PPD is the most common complication in the postpartum period. Good assessment from beginning of the preconception period to antenatal and finally in the postpartum period, can rescue many mothers from suffering. We as Healthcare providers should pay more attention to mothers especially in the postpartum period in the same level of priority as her infants.