FREQUENCY OF POSTNATAL DEPRESSION AND DETERMINANTS OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS AFTER PREGNANCY LOSS

DR ALIZA FATIMA , DR IRFA MAZHAR , DR SAMRA AZIZ KHAN , DR KHANSA AZAD , DR MAHLIQA MAQSUD

Background: Pregnancy loss is frequently associated with psychological distress and postnatal depression, yet local evidence regarding its burden and determinants remains limited, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Objective: To determine the frequency of postnatal depression and evaluate the determinants of depressive illness among women following pregnancy loss.

Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynaecolgy Department of  Services Hospital, Lahore and SKBZ /CMH Muzaffarabad from July 2025 to October 2025, including 145 women selected through non-probability purposive sampling, with sample size calculated using the single population proportion formula at 95% confidence level, 6% margin of error, and an expected prevalence of 15.3%.

Results: The mean age was 29.8 ± 6.4 years. Miscarriage was the most common type of pregnancy loss (63.4%), followed by ectopic pregnancy (21.4%). The mean EPDS score was 11.6 ± 5.2. Postnatal depression was observed in 58 (40.0%) participants. Depression was significantly associated with younger age, low education, unemployment, low income, previous pregnancy loss, unintended pregnancy, and lack of family or husband support (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Postnatal depression is frequent among women following pregnancy loss and is strongly influenced by socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants.