[Prevalence of postnatal depression in women attending public hospitals in Durango, Mexico]

To determine the prevalence of postnatal depression and associated epidemiological features in a population of women from Durango, Mexico.

Applying a cross-sectional design in public hospitals from Durango, we studied 178 women during their 1 to 13 weeks postpartum. The Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale was applied and depression was evaluated by using the DSM-IV criteria. In addition, socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data from participants were obtained.

Of the 178 women, 58 were depressed (32.6%). The prevalence of depression was significantly higher in women with low level of education, with more than 3 years of living with her partner, and in rural, non-insured women. Multivariate analysis showed that postnatal depression was significantly associated with previous depression, history of postnatal depression, depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy, stress after pregnancy, trauma, bad relationship with partner, abandonment by partner, unwanted pregnancy, family problems, and living without partner.

The prevalence of postnatal depression in women living in Durango, Mexico, is high. Several socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors appear to contribute to this condition.