Postpartum depression and the factors affecting it: 2000-2017 study results

Özet

Objectives: This study aims to determine the factors affecting postpartum depression. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive systematic literature review conducted using document review as the data collection method. ULAKBİM National Databases, Medline/PubMed, Turkish Medline, Dergipark, Scopus and EBSCO were accessed using the keywords "postpartum depression / postnatal depression / puerperal depression". 39 articles published between the years 2000–2017 were included in the study. The articles were evaluated in terms of the year, sample number, research type and results and the frequency distribution of the data. Results: It is stated that 51% of the articles were published between the years of 2010–2014. The studies were conducted with women between the ages of 15–49 years. Only one study has a sample size greater than 500. More than half of the studies include the postpartum period between 0-6 months. The most significant factor affecting postpartum depression (56.4%) is a history of depression in the mother or her family. Fourteen studies targeted the relationship between the use of antiemetic drugs during pregnancy and postpartum depression and no relationship was determined. Conclusion: Predominant factors affecting postpartum depression include: history of depression in the mother or her family, unplanned pregnancies, the number of pregnancies, economic condition, and having multiple children. Midwives’ awareness of these factors can guide them in follow-up and support during the postpartum period.