A study on postpartum depression and its association with infant feeding practices and infant nutritional status among mothers attending the anganwadi centers of Valsad district, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background: Systematic reviews on postpartum depression (PPD) suggest that PPD mothers are more likely to interrupt exclusive breastfeeding with inappropriate feeding practices resulting malnutrition in child. A community-based study was planned with the objective to find the risk factors associated with PPD and its possible association on infant feeding practices and infant nutritional status. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 116 postpartum mothers attending Anganwadi centers under the Urban Health Training Centre and Rural Health Training Centre of Medical College. A purposive sampling technique was applied. Informed and written consent in local language was taken. Data were collected in predesigned, pretested, and semi-structured pro forma. The mothers were screened for possible PPD using the 10-item well-validated Edinburgh PPD Scale in Gujarati language. The cutoff point is score more than 10.5 based on previous studies. Infant's nutritional status and breastfeeding practices were assessed according to the WHO Growth Chart and Infant and Young Child Feeding guidelines. Results: (1) 6.8% of the prevalence of PPD was reported in the study; (2) sociodemographic factors such as relationship of mothers with in-laws/husbands, help at home in childcare, literacy status, age at marriage and first child, and own desired/in-laws of sex of child are found to be significantly associated with PPD. (3) The Association of PPD and poor nutritional status of child was statistically significant. Conclusions: The study highlights the need of screening for PPD in the community. The potential risk factors for PPD can be taken into consideration during routine antenatal/postnatal care and for planning of preventive strategies.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Maternal Postpartum Depression, Infant Feeding Practices, and Infant Nutritional Status at a Maternity Hospital in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

“…These findings align with the results of other studies, such as Shewangzaw et al (2018), who reported a prevalence of 95.9% for exclusive breastfeeding among postpartum mothers in Ethiopia, due to the similarities in sociodemographic characteristics shared by mothers in both East African countries. These findings are also quite similar to those of Amipara et al (2020) in Gujarat, India, where 100% of postpartum mothers self-reported exclusive breastfeeding for their infants at 4-8 weeks. The high prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding observed at Eldoret West Maternity Hospital can be attributed to the enhanced maternal knowledge resulting from continuous health education initiatives within the facility.…”

“…In Maryland, USA Hurley et al (2015) demonstrated that mothers with mental health symptoms were more likely to have poorer infant feeding practices and higher infant dietary intake during the first six months as compared with those without. In contrast, Amipara et al (2020) in India reported that there was no association between PPD and exclusive breastfeeding since 100% of mothers with PPD reported to exclusively breastfeed.…”

Assessment of difference in postpartum depression among caesarean and vaginally delivered women at 6-week follow-up in hospitals in Pune District, India: an observational cohort study

“… 18 55 While we did not observe any association, consonant with one study, 4 some studies have observed an association. 15 30 In Indian society, the birth of a male child is preferred. The woman is blamed or made to feel guilty for giving birth to a female child.…”

Nutritional status of under-two years old children of depressive mothers presented to Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar.

“…A study conducted in India shows postpartum depression has positive association on child nutritional status. 6 In Pakistan various studies conducted that shows a positive association of depression in mothers and its impact on child nutritional status. A study conducted by Qamer et al in Karachi showed a positive association between mother depression and child nutritional status.…”