Validation of the Punjabi version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)

This study reports a project to validate a Punjabi translation of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). The study involved three points of data collection. Bilingual (Punjabi and English speaking) new mothers completed the English and Punjabi EPDS on two separate occasions and underwent a diagnostic interview. At a threshold of 12.5 the Punjabi scale yielded a sensitivity of 71.4 and specificity of 93.7. Analysis suggests criterion and conceptual equivalence between the two scales. A users' evaluation indicates that the tool was acceptable to the majority of mothers, however, the scale may be more applicable for mothers for whom Punjabi is their first language.