Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if postpartum women with limited literacy are at higher risk for depression symptoms than women with adequate literacy. STUDY DESIGN: We interviewed women during their postpartum hospitalization following delivery of a healthy infant to collect baseline demographic data and assess literacy skills. We contacted these women by phone 6-10 weeks postpartum and administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), using scores ≥ 9 to indicate symptoms of postpartum depression. Analysis determined if EPDS scores ≥ 9 were more frequent among women with low vs. higher literacy. RESULTS: Of 235 women interviewed in the hospital, 138 (58.7%) were interviewed 6-10 weeks postpartum and completed the EPDS. The rate of EPDS scores ≥ 9 was 26.1% among women with limited literacy vs. 8.8% among women with higher literacy (p = 0.018). On multivariable analysis that considered confounding variables, low literacy retained its significant relationship with symptoms of postpartum depression (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.02-11.82). CONCLUSION: Based on results of this preliminary study, low literacy may be a risk factor for symptoms of postpartum depression.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 563-568 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Reproductive Medicine for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 9 |
State | Published - Sep 2009 |
Keywords
- Depression
- Literacy
- Postpartum
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology