The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among women with normal vaginal delivery in Zahedan city

Abstract

Aim:The study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among postpartum women in Zahedan city, Iran. Method: Data in this cross-sectional study were gathered from healthcare centres of Zahedan, a city in south-east Iran. Four-hundred women with childbirth experience over the past few months were selected; between 6 and 24 weeks had passed since their delivery. We used three questionnaires in order to evaluate the demographic data, PTSD symptoms and traumatic childbirth experience. Results: The mean parity was 3.40±2.55 children and the mean duration of pain was 19.44±9.16 hours. Overall, 7.8%, 36% and 0.5% of the subjects had a previous history of curettage, episiotomy and vacuum evacuation, respectively. In total, 32% of the participants showed PTSD symptoms. Prevalence of PTSD was not significantly associated with parity, pain duration, education level or employment status. Significant correlation with PTSD was found with the mode of delivery (P=0.013), curettage (P=0.005) and length of hospitalization. Also, prevalence of PTSD was substantially associated with the type of pregnancy (planned or unintended) (P=0.011). Conclusion: Women with PTSD were not significantly different from those without PTSD in terms of parity, pain duration, education level or employment status. History of curettage, episiotomy and vacuum evacuation increased the incidence of PTSD in postpartum women. Moreover, unwanted pregnancy was more common among women with PTSD compared with normal subjects and length of hospitalization was longer. post-traumatic stress disorder / postpartum stress disorder / normal vaginal deliveryPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental condition. This anxiety disorder occurs following exposure to an extremely traumatic, terrifying or tragic event and is common among soldiers and veterans returning from war [1]. People with PTSD remember horrible memories and harbour persistent frightening thoughts. PTSD can result from various traumatic incidents including natural disasters, serious accidents, and violent attacks such as rape and mass destruction. Most people with PTSD have repeated traumatic recollections during the day and experience insomnia or nightmares at night. They respond to traumatic experiences with fear and develop high levels of anxiety. People with PTSD may feel more irritable, aggressive, violent or easily startled than they did in the past. In ad-

Birth-Related Perineal Trauma in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Limited to women between 18 and 35 years oldPrimiparasNormal10,05060.63.515.796.5Khaskheli et al (2012)Pakistan (2006–2010)Case series (Cross sectional data)Medical facility (hospital)All cases admitted in maternity ward. The study included all the women delivering in the hospital and all referred from outside either from local maternity homes, rural health centres and delivery at home within 40 daysMixedNS92160.6Khresheh et al (2009)Jordan (July–August 2004)Cross-sectionalMedical facility (hospital)All vaginal deliveries during study periodMixedMixed90554.30.4515.8Koettker et al (2012)Brazil 2005–2009Cross-sectionalHomeAll women with planned home birth (low risk pregnancies)MixedNS891.1Kongnyuy et al (2008)Cameroon (2004–2005)Cross-sectionalMedical facility (hospital)Singleton pregnancyPrimiparasMixed100311.6Saxena et al (2010)India (2007)CohortMedical facility (hospital)All vaginal deliveries during study periodPrimiparasMixed21067.60.95Moghadam et al (2015)…”

The incidence of post‐traumatic stress disorder following traumatic childbirth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…One randomized clinical trial has shown that the DSM‐A scale was validated by psychiatrists for effectiveness in screening for traumatic birth and compatibility with the definition of traumatic birth 34 . Moghadam et al 35 also confirmed the rationality and validity of this scale. However, in contrast with the DSM‐A scale, participants were only asked whether they would describe their birth as traumatic (yes/no) according to self‐reports 22,24,27 .…”

The Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Childbirth and its Predictors in Iranian Women

“…In a study by Soderquist et al, the PTSD prevalence across time points after childbirth was reported 0.9 -7.1% (28). In Iran, two studies performed in Zahedan reported the PSTD prevalence of 17.2 -32% (16,17). It was up to 36.7% in Bushehr (18) and 39% in the Southern West Azerbaijan Province (19).…”

“…It compromises 1 -3% of total childbirths in most European countries (England, Sweden, Germany, Italy) (5-11), 5.9% in Nigeria (12), 8 -9% in Canada and the US (13,14), and up to 13% in France (15). In Iranian settings, it is reported 17.2 -32% in two studies conducted in Zahedan (16,17), up to 36.7% in Bushehr (18), and 39% in Southern cities of West Azerbaijan Province (19), all higher than the global rate.…”