Association Of Post-Partum Mental Health and Breastfeeding Practices of Mothers Visiting MCH Centers Of Rawalpindi and Islamabad

Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum depression is a common, non-psychotic disorder that is faced by a mother within four to six weeks after delivery. A mother suffering from depression finds it difficult to create an affiliation with her child and finds motherhood overpowering and stressful. Poor mental health also affects the milk supply and breastfeeding practices of mothers. Objective: To analyze the post-partum mental health of women coming to Mother Child Healthcare centers of Rawalpindi/Islamabad and find the association of postpartum mental health with breastfeeding practices of mothers and their sociodemographic factors. Methodology: A mixed-method study was used. The cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted at the mother-child healthcare centers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan in June-July,2022 with a sample size of 380 participants. Data collection was done through Edinburgh post-natal depression scale questionnaire and SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. Phenomenology study design along with a feminism worldview was used for the qualitative study. Results: Out of 380 participants 308(81%) women belonged to the age group 23-30 years. Most of the participants were housewives 189(48.8%) with intermediate education. Forty-seven percent (n=178/380) of participants breastfeed their child and only 38% of women had husband/family support. The chi-square test of association indicated a significant association between Postpartum depression and breastfeeding. Conclusion: Early cessation of breastfeeding can cause PPD and vice versa PPD may lead to a decrease in the milk supply, hence the cessation of breastfeeding. Keywords: Post-partum, breastfeeding, awareness, social support