The relationship between disrespect and abuse during childbirth with postpartum depression in mothers attending comprehensive health centers in Saqqez city, 2023

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student of Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 Instructor, Department of Midwifery, Clinical Care Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Midwifery, Clinical Care Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.84485.6286

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying the risk factors for postpartum mental disorders such as depression, given its importance and complications, is a step towards improving maternal health. Therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to determine the relationship between disrespect and abuse during childbirth and postpartum depression.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 on 348 eligible mothers attending comprehensive health centers in Saqqez city who were selected by cluster sampling method. Data collection tools included: demographic and clinical profile registration form, Disrespect and Abuse during Childbirth Checklist, and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Questionnaire, which were completed through interviewing with the participants. Data analysis was performed using STATA software (version 14) and univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results showed that 235 (68.2%) of the participants in the study had experienced at least one case of disrespect and mistreatment during childbirth, and the mean overall score was 1.47±1.3 (range 0-6). The most common form of disrespect and mistreatment experienced by women was care without consent (59.3%) and abandonment of care (30.9%), and the least common was discrimination (2.3%). The rate of postpartum depression was 32.1%. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that having high school (P=0.02) and university (P=0.04) education and high spousal support (P=0.05) played a preventive role in the occurrence of postpartum depression, and having an uneducated birth companion (P=0.042) and not having a birth companion (P=0.048) and experiencing disrespect and abuse during childbirth (P=0.001) played an effective role in the occurrence of postpartum depression.
Conclusion: Improving the level of care provided during childbirth by educating midwifery personnel about the importance of respecting mothers and regularly monitoring their performance plays an important role in preventing postpartum mental disorders.

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Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 3
May 2025
Pages 63-75

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