Awareness, perceptions and understanding of postpartum women and healthcare providers about the postpartum depression: a qualitative study

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a major public health problem and linked to mothers’ reduced ability of sensitive parenting and increased risk of developmental delays of children. Its prevalence was estimated as 13% in Western countries and 19.8% in lower and middle-income countries. No previous studies have explored the perspectives of postpartum women and healthcare providers regarding postpartum depression in Kazakhstan. The aim of this research is to explore postpartum women’s and healthcare providers’ awareness, understanding and perceptions of postpartum depression, acceptability of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and postpartum mental healthcare practices in Kazakhstani context.