Biography
Biography: J Harini Christopher
Abstract
Background & Aim: One of the lowest priorities in healthcare worldwide is perhaps that of maternal mental health. Post natal complications not only predispose to chronic or recurrent depression but consequently affect family and children’s cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal relationships. Most studies are traditionally hospital-based, but more than half of all cases are not detected by healthcare providers. However, fewer studies have focused on the postnatal difficulties and associated risk factors of mothers attending the Pediatric OPDs (with their babies, 0-3 months for immunization), that often go undetected and hence remain, unmanaged.
Method: Brief and user-friendly self-assessment scales assessed socio-demographic and postnatal health (SRQ 20, WHO) using purposive sampling and descriptive cross-sectional design. Information was abstracted from 55 women who consented to participate and their confidentiality assured. Data was analysed using descriptive, T test and correlation analysis (SPSS 16).
Result: Mean age of respondents was 27.71 (4.13) and that of spouses were 32.33 (3.85) years. More women (46.7%) were in the 21-25 years age group, +2 educated (53%), equal number were housewives or working (50%), had arranged marriages (55.6%), gave birth to first baby (88.9%), female child (60%) and delivered by C-section (66.7%). Significant differences in psychological difficulties (p<0.05) seen in working mothers (35.38±3.82), but not due to type of marriage, sex of child or type of delivery. The overall scores on SRQ 20 were 33.97±4.76 (range 21-40), depressive symptoms were being unhappy 46.5%; worthlessness 16.3% and thoughts of ending life 34.9%, while somatic symptoms were handshake 51.2% and poor digestion 20.9%. Correlation was negatively significant with husbands occupation (p<0.05) and non-significant with husbands’ education, income and respondents education, occupation, mode of delivery and gender of child.
Conclusion: Post natal difficulties affect 20% of mothers (best and most productive years) in developing countries, manifesting as Postpartum Depression (PPD). Unfortunately, India’s reproductive health programs do not include services for prevention or treatment of PPD. The NMHP and the draft National Policy for Women (2016) are highlighting women’s mental health on the public radar. Multi-disciplinary research, screening from non-conventional sources and multi-pronged services urgently needed.