KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Krishnananda Kamath K., Anakha Rajan*, Sudhamshu K. Tantry and Ramakrishna Shabaraya A.

ABSTRACT

The postpartum period is often regarded as a beautiful time in a mother’s life, marked by new responsibilities and mood changes due to hormonal shifts. However, some mothers struggle to cope with these emotional changes, leading to depressive episodes or mood disorders. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe psychiatric condition affecting women of childbearing age and is a significant public health issue worldwide. It typically manifests within the first six weeks after childbirth, with varying severity and progression. Mothers may experience intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, fatigue, anger, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, persistent crying, intrusive thoughts, and insomnia. Many women remain unaware of PPD due to a lack of knowledge about its signs and symptoms, hindering timely recognition and treatment. This community-based interventional study assessed the knowledge and attitudes towards PPD among mothers in Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, over six months. A total of 131 participants were included, and ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of SIMS&RC. Mothers in the postpartum period (six weeks to one year after delivery) were included, while those undergoing psychiatric treatment or who withdrew consent were excluded. Data were collected through pre-validated questionnaires and direct interactions, with statistical analysis performed using Microsoft Excel. The study found that the most of participants had less knowledge of PPD, only a small proportion exhibiting a good understanding. Negative attitudes towards PPD were prevalent, with many participants viewing it as an expression of tiredness or normal postpartum difficulties. The intervention improved both knowledge and attitudes in the interventional group. The study concludes that most mothers had inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes towards PPD. There is a emergency need for education of PPD to improve understanding and foster positive attitudes towards PPD, ultimately aiding in its early detection and treatment.

Keywords: Postpartum depression (PPD), Knowledge, Attitude.