Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Postpartum depression among Pakistani women in Norway: prevalence and risk factors
Soen Eng Y Bjerke1, Siri Vangen, Rannveig Nordhagen
1Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet University Clinic, Oslo, Norway. eng@online.no
Objective:
To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for postpartum depression among Pakistani women in Norway.
Methods:
A total of 207 pregnant Pakistani women living in Norway participated in a questionnaire study. The author interviewed the women face to face during pregnancy and 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to identify the risk cases.
Results:
Only 7.6% of the immigrant Pakistani women were depressed postpartum. High scores on the life event scale, a history of prior depression, single marital status, a poor relationship to one's partner and an age of 30 years or more were found to be significant risk factors for postpartum depression.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of postpartum depression among immigrant Pakistani women seems to be low compared with the prevalence reported in immigrant populations elsewhere, it was however only slightly lower than the study of ethnic Norwegians (8.9%). The risk factors were similar to results from international reports; moreover, there were few cultural differences in risk factors between ethnic Norwegian and Pakistani immigrants.
Related Concept Videos
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Panic Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia