Factors associated with postpartum depression in puerpera women at a peruvian hospital

Background: Postpartum depression can lead to situations in new mothers that affect baby care, impacting their feeding by reducing adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors associated with this condition. Objective: To determine which sociodemographic factors are associated with postpartum depression in postpartum women at a Peruvian hospital. Materials and methods: Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical research. Design: Case-control research design. Site: Regional Hospital of Ica-Peru. Participants: A total of 173 cases (postpartum women at risk of postpartum depression) were studied and compared with 173 controls (postpartum women without risk of postpartum depression). All participants were surveyed between the months of May and October 2022, 15 to 30 days after delivery. Interventions: Survey. Main measures: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to obtain the metric of the dependent variable, and a general data sheet to obtain independent variables. The cutoff point for the Edinburgh Scale was ≥ 13. Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression was 18.8% (95% CI = 16.3-21.3). The associated factors were: Age under 20 years OR: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.4-3.4) p = 0.001. Higher education level OR: 4.5 (95% CI: 2.8-7.0) p = 0.000. Single marital status OR: 4.4 (95% CI: 2.8-6.9) p = 0.000. Poor relationship with partner OR: 3.9 (95% CI: 2.4-6.1) p = 0.000. Use of Psychotropic drugs OR: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7-4.4) p = 0.000. Complications during labor OR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.6-4.3) p = 0.000. Cesarean delivery OR: 3.3 (95% CI: 2.1-5.1) p = 0.000. History of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy OR: 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7-4.2) p = 0.000. Employment status OR: 3.2 (95% CI: 2.1-5.0) p = 0.000. Conclusion: Postpartum depression is associated with sociodemographic variables in the patient's environment that require timely intervention to reduce negative effects on both the mother and the child.