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Review Papers | Nursing | India | Volume 12 Issue 5, May 2023

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression and COVID-19 Pandemic - A Brief Review

Divya Devakumar | Reeja R

Abstract: Background: The levels of postpartum depression scores among mothers were found to be significantly high during the pandemic period when compared to the prepandemic period. An exploration to pinpoint the prevalence and factors related to the pandemic resulting in high PPD scores was to be explored. Methods: Out of 50 studies which were found by search using the keywords in the databases Google Scholar and Springer were evaluated and distilled down to 15, which were verified by the two authors, were reviewed and the findings were tabulated. Results: the average prevalence of PPD from the reviewed studies were found to be 28.97% which was slightly higher than those recorded during the prepandemic periods. The major risk factors identified from the review were concerns regarding contracting infection for self and child, social isolation, quarantine measures, absence of support during labour, apprehension regarding access to healthcare facilities. Conclusion: the review shows the higher prevalence of PPD among postnatal mothers amidst COVID-19 pandemic and there are factors related to the pandemic affecting the level of depression among them. Further exploration is necessary on the controlled manipulation of these factors and intervention strategies, given a possibility of a recurrence of the pandemic as applicable to other traumatic event scenarios.

Keywords: postpartum depression, COVID-19, prevalence, Risk factors

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 5, May 2023,

Pages: 1687 - 1691