[Puerperal depression. Related factors]

To find the prevalence of postnatal depression in puerperal women in the city of Albacete and to analyse its association with social and demographic factors, morbidity and social and affective support.

An observational crossover study with a home interview.

Community.

304 women who gave birth at Albacete General Hospital between May and November 1995.

The presence of possible depression between the sixth and eighth weeks after giving birth was measured with a self-administered test, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), on which scores of 13 or more are considered to signal depression. 15.8% (C.I. 11.8%-19.8%) of the women surveyed suffered a probable depressive disorder according to the EPDS. A significant association was found between puerperal depression and history of depression before pregnancy (p = 0.00001), during pregnancy (p = 0.00005) and immediately after delivery (p = 0.00001). Puerperal depression was also associated with stated chronic illness (p = 0.0003), scant help with domestic tasks (p = 0.003) and low family affective support (p = 0.0003).

Between 11.8% and 19.8% of women between the sixth and eighth week of the puerperal period display a probable depression, which is linked to depression immediately after delivery. This disorder needs to be detected during the puerperal visit.