Postpartum Depression Relating to Smoking and Drinking Habits of Husbands Among Rajbanshi Mothers in Nepal

To cite this article:

Nawa Raj Subba, Shishir Subba. Postpartum Depression Relating to Smoking and Drinking Habits of Husbands Among Rajbanshi Mothers in Nepal. American Journal of Health Research. Vol.3, No. 5, 2015, pp. 293-297.doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20150305.15. 

This is a cross-sectional study on postpartum depression (PPD) among Rajbanshi mothers in Nepal. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence rate of PPD and association between PPD in mothers with smoking/drinking habits of the husbands and perceived stress among Rajbanshi community. Quantitative methods employed using semi-structured questionnaires. The sample size was 375 households from Morang, Jhapa, and Sunsari districts. Data collected by in-depth interviews with mothers. Researcher filled the semi-structured questionnaires asked on workload, sleep, perceived stress and treatment history using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during interviews. In the findings, PPD and maternal stress associated with husband’s smoking/drinking habits. Prevalence of PPD was 12.27% in sampled Rajbanshi mothers (EPDS cutoff≥13). PPD in mothers finds associated with maternal stress (P= <.0001) and smoking habit of the husband (P=<.0001) which are statistically highly significant. Similarly, sleeplessness in mothers associated with smoking (P=<.005) and drinking (P= <.0001) habits of husbands are also statistically highly significant. In conclusion, PPD among Rajbanshi mothers associates with a smoking habit of the husband. Both smoking and drinking habits of husbands were responsible for causing maternal stress and sleeplessness in mothers and these factors associated with PPD. Smoking and drinking habits of husbands find out risk factors for PPD and perceived stress in her wife. To deal successfully with the poor situation of PPD among Rajbanshi mothers need to change smoking/drinking habits of husbands, raise awareness on health as well as the socio-economic development of the community. Preview/Download