Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in a tertiary care hospital in eastern province, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and identify associated risk factors among postpartum women in a tertiary care hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited postpartum women who followed up at King Fahad University Hospital. Data were collected by interviewing participants using a validated electronic survey. The questionnaires were administered via phone calls. Participants who declined consent or submitted incomplete responses were excluded. Results: A total of 252 postpartum women were included. The prevalence of postpartum depression in the sample was 27%, as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. No significant association was found between sociodemographic characteristics and postpartum depression. On the other hand, low economic status was statistically significant as a predictive factor (p-value=0.044). Clinical and obstetric characteristics were shown to have a statistically significant increase in rates of postpartum depression. In addition, the strongest predictors were insufficient spousal support (OR = 7.02, p