Postpartum Depression in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review of Prevalence, Knowledge, Risk Factors, and Quality-of-Life Impact

Background and Objective: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition with significant consequences for maternal, paternal, and infant well-being. In Saudi Arabia, some reported prevalence rates exceed global averages. This narrative review synthesizes the current literature on the prevalence, risk factors, awareness, and quality-of-life impact of PPD in Saudi Arabia. The aim is to identify methodological inconsistencies, highlight the risk factors, and guide future research and policy. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies published between 2010 and May 2025 were included if they addressed PPD in Saudi Arabia and the inclusion criteria were met. 38 articles were selected for full-text analysis and incorporation in the study. Results: PPD prevalence in Saudi Arabia ranges from 5.1% to 75.7%, with regional variation attributed to inconsistent methodologies, screening instruments, and diagnostic cutoffs. Risk factors encompass psychiatric history, marital conflict, limited social support, low income, cesarean delivery, unplanned pregnancy, anemia, and sleep disturbance. Nutritional and newborn-related predictors were inconsistently reported. Awareness among the public and healthcare professionals remains limited, and paternal postpartum depression is underrecognized. PPD exerts a pronounced negative impact on maternal quality of life, spanning physical, psychological, and social domains. Conclusions: PPD poses a substantial public health burden in Saudi Arabia. Routine screening with validated tools, integrated perinatal mental health services, and targeted public education campaigns may help address diagnostic delays and stigma. Future studies must adopt standardized diagnostic criteria and longitudinal designs to generate nationally representative prevalence estimates and evaluate preventive strategies.