2026 ECNP Congress

EP01-1054

Depression postpartum

Sidorela Nika — Qendra Komunitare e Shendetit Mendor Lezhe, Mental Health, Lezha- Albania, Albania

2026 ECNP Congress

Objectives

Postpartum depression represents a significant mental health disorder that negatively affects both maternal well-being and child development. The aim of this study is to assess the level of postpartum depression and to identify the sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychosocial factors associated with it among women in the postnatal period.

Methods

This study was designed as a cross-sectional study and was conducted at the child consultation unit of the Lezha Health Center during the period 01.09.2025 – 01.04.2026. A total of 100 postpartum women participated in the study. The instrument used to assess depression was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), structured according to the Likert scale. Data were processed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) were used, along with inferential analyses including the Chi-square test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coefficient. The reliability of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha, which resulted in α=0.813 in the pilot phase and α=0.820 in the final sample, indicating good internal consistency.

Results

The age of participants ranged from 21 to 42 years (M=30.45, SD=5.03), while the age of infants ranged from 2 to 9 months (M=4.8, SD=1.8). The majority of women had higher education (63%), 47% were primiparous, 36% were breastfeeding, 53% had delivered via cesarean section, and 79% reported having family support. Regarding depression levels, 61% of women showed normal mood fluctuations, 28% had mild distress, 5% were classified as borderline depression, and 6% exhibited moderate levels of depression.

Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between maternal age and depression level (r = -0.221, p ≤ 0.05), suggesting that younger women are more at risk. Meanwhile, a significant positive relationship was found between the infant’s age and depression level (r = 0.312, p ≤ 0.01), indicating an increase in depressive symptoms over time after childbirth. No statistically significant associations were found between depression and education level, parity, family support, or smoking (p > 0.05). However, a significant relationship was identified between breastfeeding and depression level (p ≤ 0.05), with breastfeeding women showing lower levels of depression. Additionally, the mode of delivery was a significant factor (p ≤ 0.05), as cesarean section was associated with higher levels of depression compared to vaginal delivery.

In conclusion,

The findings of this study confirm that postpartum depression is a prevalent condition affecting a notable proportion of women during the postnatal period and is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Younger maternal age and increasing infant age appear to be important risk indicators, while breastfeeding may have a protective effect. The association between cesarean delivery and higher depression levels further highlights the need for targeted psychological support in this group.

These results underscore the importance of early screening and timely identification of postpartum depression within primary healthcare settings. Integrating mental health assessments into routine postnatal care, particularly in child consultation services, could significantly improve early detection rates. Additionally, healthcare professionals should be trained to recognize early symptoms and risk factors, allowing for prompt referral and intervention.

References

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  2. WHO (2022). Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines for ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders. Geneva: WHO.
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