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Postpartum depression (PPD) has emerged as a significant mental health concern affecting mothers worldwide.

PPD, affecting approximately 10% of women after childbirth, can persist for years, significantly differing from short-term "baby blues." PPD often goes undiagnosed, with around 50% of cases unrecognized, despite criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

An analytical cross-sectional study published in BMC Public Health encompassed 674 mothers from Egypt, Ghana, India, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, conducted between June and August 2023, within the childbearing period. It found that PPD cases in these six countries have reached alarming levels.

Participants were required to have given birth within the previous 18 months, be citizens of the specified countries, and fall between the ages of 18 and 40.

Exclusion criteria were stringent, including multiple pregnancies, illiteracy, severe health issues in the infant, stillbirth or intrauterine fetal death, and maternal conditions such as medical, mental, or psychological disorders that could impede questionnaire completion.

Additionally, mothers lacking internet access or proficiency and those unable to comprehend Arabic or English were ineligible for participation.

According to News Medical, study participants underwent recruitment through a multistage process, which involved the selection of two governorates from each country, encompassing both rural and urban areas within each governorate.

Mothers were then approached for surveys via online platforms and various public venues such as well-baby clinics, Primary Health Centers (PHCs), and family planning units. Utilizing tablets, cell phones provided by data collectors, or by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code, all participants completed the questionnaire.

The questionnaire, originally crafted in English, underwent translation into Arabic, followed by validation by healthcare experts and a pilot study to ensure clarity and comprehensibility. The final questionnaire comprised sections addressing demographic and health-related factors, obstetric history, assessment of postpartum depression (PPD) utilizing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and exploration of psychological and social characteristics.

Using the Edinburgh 10-question scale, the overall frequency of postpartum depression (PPD) within the total sample stood at 13.5%; nevertheless, this prevalence exhibited significant variation among the surveyed countries. Notably, PPD rates were highest among mothers in Ghana, reaching 26.0%, followed by India, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria, with respective rates of 21.7%, 19.1%, 8.5%, 7.7%, and 2.3%.

Results showed a notable correlation emerged between postpartum depression (PPD) and mothers utilizing contraceptive methods, those with one or two live births, and individuals with interpregnancy intervals of less than two years. Moreover, heightened PPD rates were observed among mothers with a history of deceased children and those encountering postnatal challenges.

Alarmingly, approximately 75% of mothers remained unaware of PPD symptoms, with 35.3% grappling with cultural stigma or judgment. A mere 6.2% of affected women received a diagnosis of PPD and subsequent medication prescription.

Mothers afflicted with PPD often exhibited a prior history of the condition, alongside facing financial and marital struggles compounded by cultural stigma. Despite purportedly increased support, a significant proportion, including 43.3%, 45.5%, 48.4%, and 70%, felt discomfort discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals, spouses, family members, and their community, respectively.

Several barriers hindered access to treatment, encompassing social norms, cultural beliefs, personal impediments, geographical disparities, language barriers, and financial constraints, reported among 65.7%, 60.5%, 56.5%, 48.5%, 47.4%, and 39.7% of mothers, respectively.

Logistic regression analysis identified several pivotal predictors of PPD, notably encompassing marital status, infant health, postnatal challenges, nationality, pregnancy status, and psychological factors.