Skip to main content
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine logoLink to Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
. 2024 Aug 9;12(1):2383468. doi: 10.1080/21642850.2024.2383468

Prevalence and risk factors of perinatal depression among mothers and fathers in Pakistan: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Zahra Ali Padhani a,b, Rehana A Salam c, Komal Abdul Rahim d,e, Samra Naz f, Asma Zulfiqar g, Zahid Ali Memon h,i, Salima Meherali j, Maria Atif k, Zohra S Lassi a,b,CONTACT
PMCID: PMC11318492  PMID: 39135561

ABSTRACT

Background:

Perinatal mental health issues affect approximately 10% of women in high-income countries and 30% in low- or middle-income countries. This review aims to determine the prevalence of perinatal depression among mothers and fathers in Pakistan and identify associated risk factors.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We included quantitative studies on the prevalence or incidence of maternal and paternal perinatal depression, including antenatal or postnatal depression in Pakistan, with or without associated risk factors. We performed an electronic search, dual-title/abstract and full-text screening, and data extraction. Analysis was conducted on Revman and JBI SUMARI software. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the NHLBI tool. This review updated a previously published review that included 43 studies, with the last search date of 31st May 2019, now extended to literature published up to June 30, 2023.

Results:

Consistent with the previous review, our analysis of 61 studies indicated a pooled prevalence of 37% (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.6–43.6) for maternal antenatal depression. Postnatal depression at different time points, revealed rates of 34.2% (95% CI: 22.7–46.7), 40.9% (95% CI: 0–97.4), and 43.1% (95% CI: 24.4–62.9) at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Paternal postnatal depression was observed at 40.5% (95% CI: 14.9–69) based on two studies. Risk factors for maternal perinatal depression include multiparity, contraceptive failure, inadequate antenatal care, pregnancy-induced hypertension, previous psychiatric illness, passive smoking, drug abuse, low socio-economic status, marital problems, family hardships, recent bereavement, housing difficulties, food insecurity, husband's illiteracy, his unemployment, and being blamed for child disability.

Conclusion:

The findings reveal a high prevalence of perinatal depression among mothers with very limited evidence of fathers residing in Pakistan, emphasising the need for prospective studies addressing mental health challenges.

Registration:

This review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023442581).

KEYWORDS: Perinatal depression, antenatal depression, postnatal depression, maternal depression, paternal depression

Background

Perinatal depression is considered as a mood disorder that occurs during pregnancy (i.e. antenatal or prenatal depression) and weeks after childbirth (i.e. postnatal or postpartum depression (PPD)) (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). The condition affects 20–25% of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), posing significant risks during pregnancy and the first postnatal year (Fisher et al., 2012; Gelaye et al., 2016; Woody et al., 2017). It can lead to intense sadness, anxiety, hindered bonding, breastfeeding difficulties for mothers, and, in severe cases, harm to self and the infant (Cook et al., 2018). The level of despair can, at times, be so profound that some describe life as an overwhelming struggle, referring to it as a ‘death swamp’ contrary to the usual perception of birth as the most joyful phase of a mother's life (Corwin et al., 2003). If left untreated, it can lead to adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight as well as hinder infants’ social, cognitive, and emotional development (Cummings & Davies, 1994; Rogers et al., 2020). These risk factors may include early-life stressors, limited social support, intimate partner violence, unintended pregnancy, and somatic symptoms during pregnancy (Dagher et al., 2021). Additionally, lower levels of education, unemployment, marital distress, and a history of mood disorders elevate the risk of maternal and paternal perinatal mood disorders. Identifying individuals at risk through targeted screening programs and implementing prevention and management protocols grounded in evidence-based interventions is imperative.

The global prevalence of postnatal depression among women varies widely according to the geographic regions with significantly higher rates in LMICs (Wang et al., 2021). In Pakistan, the prevalence of postnatal depression is reported to be 37%, which is among the highest in Asian countries (Atif et al., 2021). Traditionally, the discussions around birth-related matters have focused predominantly on women, leading to extensive data availability on maternal postnatal depression. However, recently there has been a growing recognition of postnatal depression in fathers, as a notable public health concern (Atif et al., 2022; Garthus-Niegel et al., 2020; Philpott & Corcoran, 2018; Wainwright et al., 2023).

Research findings indicate that the prevalence of paternal depression may vary ranging from 9.76% during the antenatal period to about 8.75% within the first year following birth (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). However, a recent survey conducted by Atif et al. has reported a significantly higher prevalence of postnatal depression (23.5%) among Pakistani men (Atif et al., 2022). The variations in estimates may be affected by various factors, including the stigma surrounding mental health issues, variations in reporting methods, differences in how cognitive health variables are perceived, the absence of standardised practices for collecting data on maternal mental health, and the lack of a reliable, consistent reporting tool (Atif et al., 2023 Halbreich & Karkun, 2006; Ramadas & Kumar, 2016;). The lack of uniformity of data collection tools and procedures has led to significant variability in the prevalence rates of perinatal depression in Pakistan, thus challenging gauging the true magnitude of this issue (Atif et al., 2021). Given the variability in the prevalence of postnatal depression and limited evidence on the factors associated with perinatal depression among mothers and fathers, we aim to determine the prevalence of perinatal depression among mothers and fathers residing in Pakistan and identify its associated risk factors. This review will serve to consolidate and critically evaluate existing research on maternal and paternal postnatal depression in Pakistan, ultimately informing targeted interventions and policies to address this pressing public health concern.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines (See Annex 1) (Moher et al., 2009; Page et al., 2021). This review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023442581) and constitutes an update of a review previously published by Atif et al. (2021). The original review’s search was conducted until 31st May 2019 and included 43 studies. However, only one study from the original review was excluded in this updated version, as it recruited all women with PPD. In the current review, we have updated our search to include literature published up to 30 June 2023, thus including recently published papers and reports on the current prevalence of depression among mothers and fathers. Additionally, this review estimates the prevalence of maternal perinatal depression by pooling data on maternal antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal depression. Furthermore, we conducted a meta-analysis of risk factors contributing to perinatal depression among mothers and fathers residing in Pakistan. This aspect of our review is novel, representing an advancement since the last review.

In this review, we included quantitative studies reporting on the prevalence or incidence of maternal and paternal perinatal depression, including antenatal or postnatal depression in Pakistan, with or without its associated risk factors. For the studies reporting on the associated risk factors of perinatal depression, we only meta-analysed studies that compared risk factors between depressed and non-depressed participants. We excluded qualitative studies, case studies, case reports, editorials, opinion pieces, and grey literature. We only included studies that were published in the English language. Refer to Table 1 for eligibility criteria.

Table 1.

Eligibility criteria.

  Eligibility criteria
Population Mothers and fathers during pregnancy or in their post-partum period
Exposure Studies reporting on the prevalence or incidence of maternal and paternal perinatal depression, including antenatal or postnatal depression in Pakistan, with or without its associated risk factors
Comparison For the studies reporting on the associated risk factors of perinatal depression, we only meta-analysed studies that compared risk factors between depressed and non-depressed participants
Outcome Prevalence of antenatal, postnatal, and perinatal depression among mothers and fathers and its associated risk factors
Study design We included quantitative studies including cohort and cross-sectional studies and excluded reviews, qualitative studies, case studies, case reports, editorials, opinion pieces, and grey literature
Setting Studies conducted in Pakistan only

A search strategy was constructed using the population, exposure, comparison, and outcome (PECO) criteria, including keywords and MeSH terms (See Annex 2). An electronic database search was conducted on Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Field experts were contacted, and Google Scholar was searched to identify any additional relevant studies. All the studies identified through the database search were imported into EndNote and exported to Covidence software for de-duplication, title/abstract, and full-text screening (COVIDENCE, 2020). Two reviewers conducted the title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening. Following the full-text screening, data was extracted from each included study onto a standardised data extraction form in a pretested Excel sheet. All the conflicts were resolved through discussion or by contacting the third reviewer. Study authors were contacted to obtain missing data from the included studies. Data was extracted on study characteristics, setting (country, rural/urban), participants, type of depression, the instrument to measure depression, and risk factors associated with perinatal depression.

To assess the quality of the included studies, we used the NHLBI quality assessment tool for cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies (NHLBI, 2019). The studies were judged to be of low, moderate, and high quality according to the 14 criteria based on the research question, study population, participation rate, sample selection and sample size justification, exposure and outcome measurement, blinding, attrition rate, and confounding. For the quality assessment, the study was ranked as high-quality if it did not have a ‘no’ in any of the components. If the study had ‘no’ in one or two components, the quality was marked as moderate, and if the study had ‘no’ in more than two components, the quality was kept as low. For criterion number 10, which states, ‘Was the exposure assessed more than once over time?’ If the study did not assess the exposure at multiple time points as in a cross-sectional study, it was not downgraded on its quality.

We used Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) SUMARI software to assess the pooled prevalence of antenatal/postnatal/perinatal depression using the Freeman-Tukey transformation (JBI SUMARI, 2019). We also used Review Manager (RevMan) software version 5.4 to study the risk factors associated with perinatal depression, using Mantel-Haenszel methods to calculate the weights for continuous and categorical outcomes (Review Manager, 2020). For dichotomous outcomes, we used odds ratio (OR), while for the continuous outcomes, mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI), were used. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using τ2, I2, and the significance of the χ2 test; we also evaluated heterogeneity by visually inspecting forest plots. The I2 in the forest plot demonstrated the variation across the studies due to heterogeneity. The I2 of ≤25, 50, and ≥75% demonstrated low, medium and high levels of heterogeneity. We performed a random-effects analysis for all comparisons as the data was expected to be heterogeneous. We also planned to create funnel plots to explore possible publication biases among outcomes, however, we could not explore publication bias since none of the outcomes (on risk factors) included more than 10 studies.

Results

We ran an updated search and identified 121 studies to screen, of which 20 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion. Including the 42 studies from the previous review, this updated review reports findings from a total of 61 studies from 62 papers (See Annex 3) (Atif et al., 2022; Afridi et al., 2014; Ahmad & Khan, 2005; Ali et al., 2009; Ali et al., 2012; Asad et al., 2010; Ayyub et al., 2018; Brown et al., 2021; Chung et al., 2022; Ghaffar et al., 2017; Ghafoor et al., 2021; Gul et al., 2017; Gul et al., 2013; Habib & Ali, 2019; Habiba et al., 2020; Hamid et al., 2008; Hamirani et al., 2006; Humayun et al., 2013; Husain et al., 2006; Husain et al., 2011; Imran & Haider, 2010; Irum et al., 2022; Ishtiaque et al., 2020; Jabbar et al., 2022; Jamal et al., 2018; Kalar et al., 2012; Kalyani, 2001; Karmaliani et al., 2009; Kazi et al., 2006; Khalid, 1989; Khan et al., 2020; Khan et al., 2021; Khanam et al., 2011; Khanam et al., 2022; LeMasters et al., 2020; Maqbool et al., 2022; Maselko et al., 2018; Maselko et al., 2019; Masood et al., 2017; Mir et al., 2012; Muneer et al., 2009; Niaz et al., 2004; Noorullah et al., 2020; Premji et al., 2020; Rabia et al., 2017; Rahman & Creed, 2007; Rahman et al., 2003; Ramji et al., 2016; Riaz & Riaz, 2020; Sabir et al., 2019; Sadaf et al., 2011; Sadiq et al., 2016; Saeed et al., 2016; Shah & Lonergan, 2017; Shah et al., 2011; Shahid et al., 2022; Shaikh et al., 2011; Tariq et al., 2021; Zu et al., 2016; Waqas et al., 2015; Zahidie et al., 2011; Zareen et al., 2009) encompassing data from 23,838 women and 141 men (Figure 1). The majority of the studies were cross-sectional (n = 41), followed by cohort (n = 19) and case–control studies (n = 1). Studies were conducted between 2006 and 2023. Most of the studies were conducted in the metropolitan cities of Karachi (n = 16) and Lahore (n = 16). Most of the studies were conducted in urban settings (n = 29) (Afridi et al., 2014; Ahmad & Khan, 2005;; Ali et al., 2012 Asad et al., 2010; Atif et al., 2022; Ayyub et al., 2018; Gul et al., 2017; Hamid et al., 2008; Hamirani et al., 2006; Humayun et al., 2013; Husain et al., 2011; Imran & Haider, 2010; Jamal et al., 2018; Kalar et al., 2012; Kalyani, 2001; Karmaliani et al., 2009; Kazi et al., 2006; Khalid, 1989; Masood et al., 2017; Muneer et al., 2009; Niaz et al., 2004; Noorullah et al., 2020; Rabia et al., 2017; Ramji et al., 2016; Sadaf et al., 2011; Sadiq et al., 2016; Saeed et al., 2016; Shaikh et al., 2011; Zareen et al., 2009), while 10 were conducted in rural settings (Chung et al., 2022; Husain et al., 2006; Khan et al., 2021; LeMasters et al., 2020; Maselko et al., 2019; Mir et al., 2012; Rahman et al., 2003 Rahman & Creed, 2007;; Shah et al., 2011; Zahidie et al., 2011), five in sub-urban/peri-urban/urban slums (Ali et al., 2009; Gul et al., 2013; Khanam et al., 2011; Khanam et al., 2022; Zu et al., 2016), and five were conducted in both urban and rural settings (Ghaffar et al., 2017; Khan et al., 2020; Maqbool et al., 2022; Shah & Lonergan, 2017; Waqas et al., 2015). Twelve studies did not report on study settings (Brown et al., 2021; Ghafoor et al., 2021; Habib & Ali, 2019; Habiba et al., 2020; Irum et al., 2022; Ishtiaque et al., 2020; Jabbar et al., 2022; Premji et al., 2020; Riaz & Riaz, 2020; Sabir et al., 2019; Shahid et al., 2022; Tariq et al., 2021). Most studies were conducted in healthcare facility settings (n = 44) (Afridi et al., 2014; Ahmad & Khan, 2005;; Ali et al., 2012 Atif et al., 2022; Brown et al., 2021; Ghaffar et al., 2017; Ghafoor et al., 2021; Gul et al., 2013; Gul et al., 2017; Habiba et al., 2020; Hamid et al., 2008; Hamirani et al., 2006; Humayun et al., 2013; Husain et al., 2011; Imran & Haider, 2010; Irum et al., 2022; Ishtiaque et al., 2020; Jabbar et al., 2022; Jamal et al., 2018; Kalyani, 2001; Kazi et al., 2006; Khalid, 1989; Khan et al., 2020; Khanam et al., 2011; Maqbool et al., 2022; Masood et al., 2017; Mir et al., 2012; Muneer et al., 2009; Niaz et al., 2004; Noorullah et al., 2020; Premji et al., 2020; Rabia et al., 2017; Riaz & Riaz, 2020; Sabir et al., 2019; Sadaf et al., 2011; Sadiq et al., 2016; Saeed et al., 2016; Shah & Lonergan, 2017; Shahid et al., 2022; Shaikh et al., 2011; Tariq et al., 2021; Waqas et al., 2015; Zareen et al., 2009; Zu et al., 2016), while 15 studies were community-based (Ali et al., 2009; Asad et al., 2010; Ayyub et al., 2018; Chung et al., 2022; Husain et al., 2006; Kalar et al., 2012; Karmaliani et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2021; Khanam et al., 2022; Maselko et al., 2019; Rahman et al., 2003 Rahman & Creed, 2007;; Ramji et al., 2016; Shah et al., 2011; Zahidie et al., 2011), with one study in a rehabilitation centre (Habib & Ali, 2019), and one study did not report the details on the study settings (LeMasters et al., 2020). The sample size of the included studies ranged between 73–1369.

Figure 1.

This flow diagram shows the systematic approach adopted for the review. It shows the number of records identified through the initial search and the number of records included/excluded at each stage of screening.

PRISMA Flow Diagram.

Almost all the studies focused on maternal perinatal depression except two studies that reported on paternal postnatal depression (Atif et al., 2022; Noorullah et al., 2020). Various tools were used to measure depression in the included studies. The most commonly used tool was the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used in 27 studies. Other tools used in the included studies were the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) (n = 9), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (n = 6), Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUDAS) (n = 5), Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CESD) (n = 3), Hamilton Rating Scale (n = 3), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) (n = 2). Other screening instruments used to assess depression were Goldberg’s Depression Scale, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Siddique Shah Depression Scale, Pitt's questionnaire for purpureal depression, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders.

Most of the included studies were judged to be of low quality. Cohort and cross-sectional studies were judged to be of low quality due to concerns with sample size and power estimations, small study duration to assess associations, lack of risk factor assessment over time, and insufficient measurement and adjustment of confounding variables (Figure 2). There was only one case–control study included in the review. The case–control study was judged to be of low quality because of a lack of information on sample size justification, blinding of assessors, and insufficient measurement and adjustment of confounding variables. The table in Annex 4 of the supplementary file details the risk of bias assessment. See Table 2 and Annex 5 and 6 for the risk factors associated with maternal and paternal perinatal depression.

Figure 2.

This graph shows the overall quality of the included studies in which most of the studies were judged to be of low quality.

Quality of Included Studies.

Table 2.

Risk factors associated with perinatal depression.

  Maternal Paternal
Outcomes Antenatal Depression Postnatal Depression Perinatal Depression (Combined) Postnatal Depression
Age        
<30 years       OR 11.25; 95% CI: 2.13, 59.38; n = 1
> =  30 years       OR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.65; n = 1
Residence        
Urban OR 0.59; 95% CI: 0.24, 1.44; n = 1 OR 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.97;n= 1 OR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.90;n= 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.73; I² = 0%  
Rural OR 1.69; 95% CI: 0.69, 4.11; n = 1 OR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.03, 4.13;n= 1 OR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.30;n= 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.73; I² = 0%  
Education        
Illiterate OR 2.01; 95% CI: 1.56, 2.58; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.76; I² = 0% OR 1.39; 95% CI: 0.73, 2.62; n = 6; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.005; I² = 73% OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.34; n = 11; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 79%  
Literate OR 0.48; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.62; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.92; I² = 0% OR 1.13; 95% CI: 0.61, 2.09; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 85% OR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.03; n = 10; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.003; I² = 63%  
Education of family head/ husband        
Illiterate OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.13, 6.98; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.15; I² = 52% OR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.29;n= 1 OR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.25, 2.67; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.31; I² = 15%  
Literate OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.85; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.74; I² = 0%      
Husband’s Occupation        
Unemployed   OR 2.17; 95% CI: 1.19, 3.97;n= 1 OR 2.34; 95% CI: 1.51, 3.63; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.72; I² = 0% OR 12.67; 95% CI: 1.18, 136.44;n= 1
Employed     OR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.75;n= 1 OR 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.85;n= 1
Socioeconomic status        
Upper OR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.60; n = 1   OR 0.60; 95% CI: 0.18, 1.98; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.01; I² = 85%  
Lower OR 2.17; 95% CI: 0.66, 7.16; n = 1   OR 2.67; 95% CI: 1.52, 4.67; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.70; I² = 0%  
Financially Independent   OR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.67; n = 1    
Family debt/ hardships        
Yes OR 2.15; 95% CI: 1.72, 2.70; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.59; I² = 0% OR 2.11; 95% CI: 0.84, 5.29; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.07; I² = 70% OR 2.20; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.90; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.30; I² = 18% OR 8.70; 95% CI: 1.96, 38.65; n = 1
No OR 0.51; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.64; n = 1 OR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.58; n = 1 OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.68; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.14; I² = 53% OR 0.11; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.51; n = 1
Food insecurity OR 3.45; 95% CI: 2.59, 4.60; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.36; I² = 0%      
Pregnancy-related factors        
Planned Pregnancy OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.85; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 89%   OR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.19, 1.70; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 95%  
History of previous C-sections OR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.91; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.59; I² = 0%      
Parity        
Nulliparous OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.72; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.02; I² = 68% OR 5.30; 95% CI: 1.31, 21.47; n = 1 OR 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.95; n = 6; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.0001; I² = 80%  
Multiparous OR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.01; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.006; I² = 72% OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.11, 2.52; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 97% OR 1.16; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.09; n = 10; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 93%  
Pregnancy duration        
1st trimester OR 0.36; 95% CI: 0.02, 5.27; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 95%      
2nd trimester OR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.86; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.06; I² = 59%      
3rd trimester OR 1.21; 95% CI: 0.60, 2.47; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.003; I² = 79%      
Antenatal Care        
Received   OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.92; n = 1    
Not Received   OR 3.09; 95% CI: 1.09, 8.82; n = 1    
Contraception/ ever used contraception OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.29; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.37; I² = 0%   OR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.15; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.64; I² = 0%  
Separation from husband        
Separated from husband OR 7.53; 95% CI: 0.38, 147.73; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.04; I² = 76%      
Not Separated from husband OR 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.74; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.01; I² = 84%      
Marital problems OR 7.57; 95% CI: 2.62, 21.85; n = 1 OR 4.34; 95% CI: 0.34, 56.07; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.0006; I² = 91% OR 5.31; 95% CI: 1.21, 23.31; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.003; I² = 83%  
Quality of marital relationship        
Fair OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.43; n = 1      
Poor OR 5.40; 95% CI: 2.30, 12.65; n = 1      
Domestic Violence/IPV        
Ye OR 1.90; 95% CI: 0.56, 6.47; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 91% OR 13.38; 95% CI: 0.68, 264.05; n = 1 OR 2.26; 95% CI: 0.70, 7.30; n = 6; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 90%  
No OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.95; n = 5; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 92%      
Unhappy/Problems with parents/in-laws OR 4.08; 95% CI: 2.36, 7.04; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.98; I² = 0% OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.61; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.37; I² = 0% OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.32, 4.27; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.07; I² = 57%  
Housing difficulties OR 2.81; 95% CI: 1.70, 4.63; n = 1 OR 1.47; 95% CI: 0.51, 4.21; n = 1 OR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.41, 4.13; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.28; I² = 16%  
Feels Happy and Comfortable at Home   OR 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.37; n = 1    
Infant grandmother lives with family   OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.74; n = 1    
Daily physical help in childcare by at least 1 family member   OR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.54; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.47; I² = 0%    
Prohibited to do household work during puerperium   OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.68; n = 1    
Stressful life events        
Death of some close relative (within 1 year) OR 1.97; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.14; n = 1      
Loss of parents/mother OR 1.81; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.97; n = 1 OR 2.26; 95% CI: 0.83, 6.15; n = 1 OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.95; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.70; I² = 0%  
Sleep Disturbance        
Yes       OR 11.63; 95% CI: 2.54, 53.17; n = 1
No       OR 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.39; n = 1
Spouse Sleep Disturbance        
Yes       OR 5.36; 95% CI: 1.24, 23.10; n = 1
No       OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.80; n = 1
Spouse Depression status        
Yes       OR 11.25; 95% CI: 2.13, 59.38; n = 1
No       OR 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.47; n = 1
Other stressful life events        
Yes OR 2.05; 95% CI: 0.93, 4.51; n = 1      
No OR 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11; n = 1      
Satisfied with life OR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.81; n = 1      
Passive smoker OR 2.68; 95% CI: 1.73, 4.17; n = 1      
Coping mechanism        
Drug abuse OR 2.48; 95% CI: 1.09, 5.62; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.44; I² = 0%      
Regular physical activity OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.89; n = 1      
Bereavement/Illness OR 1.34; 95% CI: 0.88, 2.03; n = 1 OR 2.04; 95% CI: 0.98, 4.24; n = 1 OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.13; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.33; I² = 0%  
Medical history        
Depression/ psychiatric illness OR 1.35; 95% CI: 0.43, 4.31; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.0001; I² = 90%      
Previous psychiatric illness/psychiatric drug use OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.04, 6.35; n = 2; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.14; I² = 54% OR 7.14; 95% CI: 3.54, 14.37; n = 1 OR 3.42; 95% CI: 1.56, 7.51; n = 4; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.06; I² = 60%  
Childhood traumatic event        
Yes OR 2.15; 95% CI: 0.52, 8.89; n = 1      
Pre-eclampsia OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.37, 3.20; n = 1      
Diabetes OR 1.41; 95% CI: 0.95, 2.09; n = 1      
Congenital anomaly OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.59, 1.60; n = 1      
History of Abortion/Miscarriage/Intrauterine Death        
Yes OR 1.30; 95% CI: 0.83, 2.06; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P = 0.11; I² = 55%      
No OR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.98; n = 3; Heterogeneity: Chi² P < 0.00001; I² = 96%      
No OR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.29; n = 1      
Pregnancy-induced hypertension   OR 3.05; 95% CI: 1.38, 6.73; n = 1    
Mother blamed for child's disability   OR 3.48; 95% CI: 1.80, 6.71; n = 1    

Note: The bold values show the significant results.

Prevalence and risk factors of maternal antenatal depression

A total of 35 studies (Ali et al., 2012; Asad et al., 2010; Ayyub et al., 2018; Gul et al., 2017; Habiba et al., 2020; Hamid et al., 2008; Hamirani et al., 2006; Humayun et al., 2013; Imran & Haider, 2010; Irum et al., 2022; Ishtiaque et al., 2020; Jabbar et al., 2022; Jamal et al., 2018; Karmaliani et al., 2009; Kazi et al., 2006; Khan et al., 2020; Khan et al., 2021; Khanam et al., 2022; Maqbool et al., 2022; Maselko et al., 2019; Mir et al., 2012; Niaz et al., 2004; Premji et al., 2020; Rabia et al., 2017; Rahman et al., 2003 Rahman & Creed, 2007;; Sabir et al., 2019; Sadaf et al., 2011; Saeed et al., 2016; Shah et al., 2011; Shaikh et al., 2011; Waqas et al., 2015; Zahidie et al., 2011; Zareen et al., 2009; Zu et al., 2016) reported on the prevalence of maternal antenatal depression with a pooled prevalence of 37% (95% CI: 30.6% to 43.6%; cases: 5234/15409; I2: 98.6%).

Among the risk factors reported in the included studies, there were significantly increased odds of antenatal depression with women being multiparous (OR:2.14; 95% CI:1.14–4.01; n = 5), using contraception (OR:1.56; 95% CI:1.07–2.29; n = 2), experiencing marital problems (OR:7.57; 95% CI:2.62–21.85; n = 1), facing issues with parents or in-laws (OR:4.08; 95% CI:2.36–7.04; n = 2), dealing with family hardships (OR:2.15; 95% CI:1.72–2.70; n = 2), encountering housing difficulties (OR:2.81; 95% CI:1.70–4.63; n = 1), experiencing food insecurity (OR:3.45; 95% CI:2.59–4.60; n = 2), the recent death of close family relative (OR:1.97; 95% CI:1.24–3.14; n = 1) or parent (OR:1.81; 95% CI:1.11–2.97; n = 1), passive smoking (OR:2.68; 95% CI:1.73–4.17; n = 1), drug abuse (OR:2.48; 95% CI:1.09–5.62; n = 2), family history of pre-eclampsia (OR:2.10; 95% CI:1.37–3.20; n = 1), and having any previous psychiatric illness (OR:2.57; 95% CI:1.04–6.35; n = 2). In contrast, planned pregnancy (OR:0.35; 95% CI:0.14–0.85; n = 4), no history of abortion/miscarriage (OR:0.19; 95% CI:0.04–0.98; n = 3), regular physical activity (OR:0.43; 95% CI:0.20–0.89; n = 1), women being literate (OR:0.48; 95% CI:0.38–0.62; n = 5), husband being literate (OR:0.55; 95% CI:0.36–0.85; n = 2), having upper socio-economic status (OR:0.33; 95% CI: 0.18–0.60; n = 1), not being separated from husband (OR:0.18; 95% CI:0.04–0.74; n = 2), no domestic violence (OR:0.25; 95% CI:0.07–0.95; n = 5), and satisfaction with life (OR:0.22; 95% CI:0.06–0.81; n = 1) were found to be significantly associated with lower odds of antenatal depression.

We did not find any significant association between antenatal depression and age of the women, residence, years of education, ethnicity, occupation, type of family, number of people living in the household, monthly household income, intentions of using family planning, fear of childbirth, spousal support, housing difficulties, maternal anthropometrics, family medical history, previous adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies and high heterogeneity.

Prevalence and risk factors of maternal postnatal depression

The prevalence of maternal postnatal depression at three months was estimated to be 34.2% (22.7% to 46.7%; 16 studies; cases: 1470/5263; I2: 98.8%) (Afridi et al., 2014; Ahmad & Khan, 2005; Chung et al., 2022; Husain et al., 2006; Kalar et al., 2012; Kalyani, 2001; Khalid, 1989; Khanam et al., 2011; Maselko et al., 2019; Muneer et al., 2009; Rahman et al., 2003 Rahman & Creed, 2007;; Sadaf et al., 2011; Sadiq et al., 2016; Shah & Lonergan, 2017; Tariq et al., 2021), at six months was 40.9% (0% to 97.4%; 2 studies; cases: 186/950; I2: 99.6%; Maselko et al., 2019; Rahman & Creed, 2007) and at 12 months was 43.1% (24.4% to 62.9%; 7 studies; cases: 926/2982; I2: 99.1%) (Figure 3) (Ali et al., 2009; Chung et al., 2022; Ghafoor et al., 2021; Habib & Ali, 2019; Maselko et al., 2019; Rahman & Creed, 2007; Ramji et al., 2016).

Figure 3.

The forest plot shows the pooled analysis of studies reporting on the prevalence of postnatal depression at three, six and 12 months among mothers in Pakistan.

Prevalence of maternal postnatal depression. (a). Prevalence of Maternal Postnatal Depression at three months. (b). Prevalence of Maternal Postnatal Depression at six months. (c). Prevalence of Maternal Postnatal Depression at 12 months.

Among the risk factors reported in the included studies, there were significantly increased odds of maternal postnatal depression with being nulliparous (OR:5.30; 95% CI:1.31–21.47; n = 1), not receiving antenatal care (OR:3.09; 95% CI:1.09–8.82; n = 1), experiencing pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR:3.05; 95% CI:1.38–6.73; n = 1), having previous psychiatric illness (OR:7.14; 95% CI:3.54–14.37; n = 1), having a husband/family head who is illiterate (OR:2.02; 95% CI:1.24–3.29; n = 1), having a husband who is unemployed (OR:2.17; 95% CI:1.19–3.97; n = 1), unhappy or having problems with parents or in-laws (OR:1.62; 95% CI:1.01–2.61; n = 2), and being blamed for child disability (OR:3.48; 95% CI:1.80–6.71; n = 1). While urban residence (OR:0.48; 95% CI:0.24–0.97; n = 1), being financially independent (OR:0.45; 95% CI:0.31–0.67; n = 1), having no family hardships (OR:0.30; 95% CI:0.16–0.58; n = 1), having no problems with parents/in-laws (OR:0.52; 95% CI:0.28–0.95; n = 1), receiving antenatal care (OR:0.32; 95% CI:0.11–0.92; n = 1), and having help with daily child care (OR:0.38; 95% CI:0.27–0.54; n = 2) were found to be significantly associated with lower odds of postnatal depression.

We did not find any significant association between postnatal maternal depression and maternal age, education, ethnicity, occupation, type of family, monthly household income, nature of pregnancy, type of delivery, obstetric complications, spousal support, marital problems, domestic violence, having one or more female child, medical complications, housing difficulties, and loss of parents. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies and high heterogeneity.

Prevalence and risk factors of paternal postnatal depression

Two (Atif et al., 2022; Noorullah et al., 2020) of the included studies also reported paternal postnatal depression with a pooled prevalence of 40.5% (14.9% to 69%; cases: 46/141; I2: 83.8%; Annex 7). Among the risk factors, paternal age of < 30 years (OR:11.25; 95% CI:2.13–59.38; n = 1), being unemployed (OR:12.67; 95% CI:1.18–136.44; n = 1), having financial hardships (OR:8.70; 95% CI:1.96–38.65; n = 1), having sleep disturbances (OR:11.63; 95% CI:2.54–53.17; n = 1), having spousal sleep disturbances (OR:5.36; 95% CI:1.24–23.10; n = 1) and having a depressed spouse (OR:11.25; 95% CI:2.13–59.38; n = 1) significantly increased the odds of paternal postnatal depression.

Prevalence and risk factors of maternal perinatal depression

We pooled the prevalence of antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal depression to estimate the pooled prevalence of perinatal depression. A total of 52 studies (Afridi et al., 2014; Ahmad & Khan, 2005; Ali et al., 2009; Ali et al., 2012; Asad et al., 2010; Ayyub et al., 2018; Chung et al., 2022; Ghafoor et al., 2021; Gul et al., 2017; Habib & Ali, 2019; Habiba et al., 2020; Hamid et al., 2008; Hamirani et al., 2006; Humayun et al., 2013; Husain et al., 2006; Husain et al., 2011; Imran & Haider, 2010; Irum et al., 2022; Ishtiaque et al., 2020; Jabbar et al., 2022; Jamal et al., 2018; Kalar et al., 2012; Kalyani, 2001; Karmaliani et al., 2009; Kazi et al., 2006; Khalid, 1989; Khan et al., 2020; Khan et al., 2021; Khanam et al., 2011; Khanam et al., 2022; Maqbool et al., 2022; Maselko et al., 2019; Mir et al., 2012; Muneer et al., 2009; Niaz et al., 2004; Premji et al., 2020; Rabia et al., 2017; Rahman & Creed, 2007; Rahman et al., 2003; Ramji et al., 2016; Sabir et al., 2019; Sadaf et al., 2011; Sadiq et al., 2016; Saeed et al., 2016; Shah & Lonergan, 2017; Shah et al., 2011; Shaikh et al., 2011; Tariq et al., 2021; Zu et al., 2016; Waqas et al., 2015; Zahidie et al., 2011; Zareen et al., 2009) reported maternal perinatal depression with a pooled prevalence of 36.9% (31.1% to 42.8%; cases: 7310/22353; I2: 98.8%) (See Figure 4). Of 52 studies, only two studies (Husain et al., 2011; Tariq et al., 2021) specifically reported on perinatal depression.

Figure 4.

This forest plot shows the pooled prevalence of perinatal depression of 36.9% among mothers in Pakistan.

Prevalence of perinatal depression.

Among the risk factors reported in included studies, there were significantly increased odds of perinatal depression with maternal illiteracy (OR:1.56; 95% CI:1.04–2.34; n = 11), husband/ family head illiteracy (OR:1.83; 95% CI:1.25–2.67; n = 3), husband unemployment (OR:2.34; 95% CI:1.51–3.63; n = 2), lower socio-economic status (OR:2.67; 95% CI:1.52–4.67; n = 2), experiencing family hardships (OR:2.20; 95% CI:1.66–2.90; n = 4), use of contraception (OR:1.52; 95% CI:1.08–2.15; n = 3), marital problems (OR:5.31; 95% CI:1.21–23.31; n = 3), issues with parents/in-laws (OR:2.37; 95% CI:1.32–4.27; n = 4), loss of parents (OR:1.89; 95% CI:1.22–2.95; n = 2), experiencing bereavement or illness (OR:1.49; 95% CI:1.03–2.13; n = 2), and having a history of previous psychiatric illness (OR:3.42; 95% CI:1.56–7.51; n = 4). In contrast, urban residence (OR:0.52; 95% CI:0.30–0.90; n = 2) and being nulliparous (OR:0.60; 95% CI:0.38–0.95; n = 6) were found to be significantly associated with lower odds of antenatal depression.

We did not find any significant association between perinatal depression and maternal age, occupation, nature of pregnancy, obstetric complications, type of family, monthly income, spousal support, and domestic violence. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies and high heterogeneity.

Discussion

The present study aimed to review the prevalence and risk factors associated with perinatal depression, encompassing both antenatal and postnatal depression, among mothers and fathers in Pakistan. The review included data from 61 studies of 23,838 women and provided a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and risk factors associated with this significant public health issue. Our findings revealed a pooled prevalence of 37% for maternal antenatal depression and varying prevalence rates for maternal postnatal depression at different time points (34.2% at three months, 40.9% at six months, and 43.1% at 12 months). Additionally, we identified a pooled prevalence of 40.5% for paternal postnatal depression. The review identified numerous risk factors significantly associated with increased odds of maternal perinatal depression, including being multiparous, failure of contraceptives, insufficient antenatal care, pregnancy-induced hypertension, previous psychiatric illness, passive smoking, drug abuse, low socio-economic status, marital problems, family hardships, recent death of close family relative or parent, housing difficulties, food insecurity, head of family/husband's illiteracy, husband's unemployment, and being blamed for child disability. Paternal postnatal depression was significantly associated with paternal age below 30, unemployment, financial difficulties, and sleep disturbances in both partners and a depressed spouse. It is important to note that previous history of psychiatric illness has been a consistent contributor to antenatal, postnatal, and overall perinatal depression, which could be correlated with other contributing risk factors such as illiteracy, financial issues, or loss of close ones. Moreover, certain risk factors during the natal period showed varied associations with different types of maternal depression. Previous history of c-sections, being nulliparous, and being in the second trimester of pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with a decrease in maternal antenatal depression, while being multiparous was found to be significantly associated with an increase in maternal antenatal depression. Being nulliparous was also found to be associated with a decrease in maternal perinatal depression. However, being nulliparous was found to be significantly associated with an increase in maternal postnatal depression. Receiving no antenatal care was another risk factor significantly associated with an increased risk of maternal postnatal depression. These findings highlight the important associations of risk factors for maternal depression across different stages of pregnancy and postpartum periods.

A systematic review assessing the burden of postnatal depression in LMICs reported that one in five postnatal women were depressed in LMICs (Dadi et al., 2020). Another systematic review on antenatal depression reported a prevalence of 24.3% among South Asian women and an even higher prevalence of 32.2% among Pakistani women (Mahendran et al., 2019). These findings are consistent with the findings of the previous review by Atif et al. (2021), reporting a 37% prevalence of antenatal depression, a prevalence of 29.5% for postnatal depression and 37% for perinatal depression among Pakistani women. As compared to the previously published review our review delved further into postnatal depression by exploring its occurrence at different time points, revealing rates of 34.2% at three months, 40.9% at six months, and 43.1% at 12 months after childbirth. Thus, highlighting an increasing trend of mental health deterioration among Pakistani women. A recent review on the social determinants of antenatal depression and anxiety in South Asian women found that factors like the quality of relationships with husbands and in-laws, social support, and the gender of the child played significant roles in increasing the risk of antenatal depression (Insan et al., 2022). Consistently, our review also identified a significant association between antenatal depression and issues related to marital problems and family challenges.

Our review identified a significant gap in research reporting on only two studies assessing paternal depression. This was supported by a correspondence by Khabir in 2022 that discussed the underrepresentation of postpartum depression among males (Khabir et al., 2022). The article shed light on contributing factors to depression among men, including unemployment, number of children, financial stress, and cultural taboos surrounding seeking help for mental health issues. Our review highlighted similar factors like unemployment, lower socio-economic status, family hardships, and other risk factors associated with paternal postpartum depression, emphasizing the importance of addressing this often-overlooked aspect of perinatal mental health. A recent review assessing the prevalence of perinatal mood disorders in both mothers and fathers (parental dyad) reported that up to 3.18% of parental dyads experienced perinatal depression, and prevalence was higher in the late postnatal period (3–12 months) (Smythe et al., 2022). The review also concluded that there was insufficient data on parental perinatal anxiety to draw any conclusions (Smythe et al., 2022).

Our review has several strengths and limitations. One notable strength of this review is its comprehensiveness, as it encompasses a wide range of studies conducted over a significant period, thus providing a thorough understanding of the landscape of perinatal depression in Pakistan. Additionally, the inclusion of paternal postnatal depression adds to the completeness of the review, acknowledging the importance of mental health in fathers during this critical life transition, i.e. parenthood. Moreover, using standardised quality assessment tools enhanced the reliability of the study findings. However, there are some limitations to acknowledge. Firstly, we only included peer-reviewed and published studies in our review and did not include grey literature which may lead to publication bias. Secondly, most of the included studies were judged to be of low quality due to concerns related to sample size, study duration, adjustment of confounding variables, and risk factor assessment over time. These factors may affect the reliability and generalizability of the study findings. The short duration of some studies may not capture long-term effects or associations that develop over time, while small sample sizes and improper adjustments for confounders further limit the robustness of the conclusions. This limitation underscores the need for caution when interpreting the study findings and highlighting the necessity for more rigorous research in this field. Additionally, high heterogeneity in several findings also challenges the generalisability of results, highlighting the need for further exploration of potential sources of variation. Finally, our review finding on the high prevalence of PPD, especially at 6 and 12 months, require further evaluation as this variability could be attributable to various causes, including cultural differences, differences in study time, PPD assessment method, the cut-off point for EDPS, sample size, and study methodology.

Our findings have important implications for policy and research. The high prevalence rates of perinatal depression in Pakistan underscore the necessity for targeted healthcare interventions and support systems. Moreover, the COVID-19 epidemic has led to an exacerbation of psychological problems in high-risk population groups that include pregnant women and may have potentially accelerated an existing trend of increasing prevalence of postnatal depression, especially in resource-limited settings (Harrison et al., 2023; Safi-Keykaleh et al., 2022). Policies and healthcare programs should prioritise the early identification and management of perinatal depression, considering the associated risk factors identified in this study. Universal screening might be beneficial for high-risk parents, especially in LMIC settings, for early identification and timely management. A recent meta-analysis collating evidence on screening programmes for perinatal depression and anxiety found a positive impact on both depression and anxiety symptoms (Waqas et al., 2022). However, this would require valid and reliable assessment tools and future studies examining its cost-effectiveness (Garthus-Niegel et al., 2022). Furthermore, the findings emphasise the need for family-centred care models that encompass the mental health and well-being of both mothers and fathers during the perinatal period. From a research perspective, this study highlights the gaps and limitations in the existing literature. Future research should focus on improving study quality, exploring the sources of heterogeneity, and addressing underrepresented areas such as paternal mental health. Moreover, it is important to conduct longitudinal studies to assess the risk factors over different time points, including antenatal, perinatal, and post-natal periods. This approach is essential for a more nuanced understanding of perinatal depression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings of this study contribute to the growing body of evidence on perinatal depression in Pakistan and emphasise the importance of addressing mental health challenges during the perinatal period. Effective policies and further research in this area can improve healthcare outcomes and better support for families during this critical phase of life.

Supplementary Material

Supplementary file.pdf
RHPB_A_2383468_SM1951.pdf (933.9KB, pdf)

Funding Statement

This work was supported by National Health and Medical Research Council [grant number GNT2009730].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

Systematic review does not require ethics approval as we included already published studies and each study took ethical clearance.

References

  1. Afridi, F., Batool, I., Jabbar, S., Hassan, L., & Shinwari, K. (2014). Frequency of postnatal depression at a tertiary care hospital. Journal of Medical Sciences, 22(1), 35–38. [Google Scholar]
  2. Ahmad, I., & Khan, M. (2005). Risk factors associated with post-natal depression in Pakistani women. Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 3(1-2), 41–50. [Google Scholar]
  3. Ali, N. S., Ali, B. S., & Azam, I. S. (2009). Post partum anxiety and depression in peri-urban communities of Karachi, Pakistan: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Public Health, 9(1), 1–10. 10.1186/1471-2458-9-1 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Ali, N. S., Azam, I. S., Ali, B. S., Tabbusum, G., & Moin, S. S. (2012). Frequency and associated factors for anxiety and depression in pregnant women: A hospital-based cross-sectional study. The Scientific World Journal, 2012(2012), 653098. 10.1100/2012/653098. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Asad, N., Karmaliani, R., Sullaiman, N., Bann, C. M., McClure, E. M., Pasha, O., Wright, L. L., & Goldenberg, R. L. (2010). Prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts among pregnant Pakistani women. Acta obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 89(12), 1545–1551. 10.3109/00016349.2010.526185 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Atif, M., Halaki, M., Chow, C. M., & Raynes-Greenow, C. (2022). Risk factors of paternal postnatal depression in Pakistan: Findings from an urban sample. Nursing & Health Sciences, 24(3), 618–624. 10.1111/nhs.12954 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Atif, M., Halaki, M., Raynes-Greenow, C., & Chow, C. M. (2021). Perinatal depression in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Birth, 48(2), 149–163. 10.1111/birt.12535 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Atif, M., Saeed, Z., Halaki, M., Chow, C. M., & Greenow, C. R. (2023). A Qualitative Exploration Of Experiences And Perceptions In Recent Parents Screening Positive For Perinatal Depression In Karachi, Pakistan. JPMA The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 73(9), 1874–1877. 10.47391/JPMA.7934 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Ayyub, H., Sarfraz, M., Mir, K., & tus Salam, F. (2018). Association of antenatal depression and household food insecurity among pregnant women: A cross-sectional study from slums of Lahore. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 30(3), 366–371. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Brown, R. H., Eisner, M., Walker, S., Tomlinson, M., Fearon, P., Dunne, M. P., Valdebenito, S., Hughes, C., Ward, C. L., Sikander, S., Osafo, J., Madrid, B., Baban, A., Van Thang, V., Fernando, A. D., & Murray, A. L. (2021). The impact of maternal adverse childhood experiences and prenatal depressive symptoms on foetal attachment: Preliminary evidence from expectant mothers across eight middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, 295, 612–619. 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.066 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Chung, E. O., Hagaman, A., Bibi, A., Frost, A., Haight, S. C., Sikander, S., & Maselko, J. (2022). Mother-in-law childcare and perinatal depression in rural Pakistan. Women's Health (Lond), 18. 10.1177/17455057221141288 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Cook, N., Ayers, S., & Horsch, A. (2018). Maternal posttraumatic stress disorder during the perinatal period and child outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 18–31. 10.1016/j.jad.2017.07.045 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Corwin, E. J., Murray-Kolb, L. E., & Beard, J. L. (2003). Low hemoglobin level is a risk factor for postpartum depression. The Journal of Nutrition, 133(12), 4139–4142. 10.1093/jn/133.12.4139 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. COVIDENCE . (2020). Covidence systematic review software,.www.covidence.org Melbourne, Australia.: Veritas Health Innovation; 2020 [Internet].
  15. Cummings, E. M., & Davies, P. T. (1994). Maternal depression and child development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 35(1), 73–122. 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1994.tb01133.x [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Dadi, A. F., Miller, E. R., & Mwanri, L. (2020). Postnatal depression and its association with adverse infant health outcomes in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), 1–15. 10.1186/s12884-019-2665-0 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Dagher, R. K., Bruckheim, H. E., Colpe, L. J., Edwards, E., & White, D. B. (2021). Perinatal depression: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Women's Health, 30(2), 154–159. 10.1089/jwh.2020.8862 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Fisher, J., Mello, M., Patel, V., Rahman, A., Tran, T., Holton, S., & Holmes, W. (2012). Prevalence and determinants of common perinatal mental disorders in women in low-and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 90(2), 139–149. 10.2471/BLT.11.091850 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Garthus-Niegel, S., Radoš, S. N., & Horsch, A. (2022). Perinatal depression and beyond – Implications for research design and clinical management. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2218978. 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.18978 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Garthus-Niegel, S., Staudt, A., Kinser, P., Haga, S. M., Drozd, F., & Baumann, S. (2020). Predictors and changes in paternal perinatal depression profiles – insights from the DREAM study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 563761. 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.563761 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Gelaye, B., Rondon, M. B., Araya, R., & Williams, M. A. (2016). Epidemiology of maternal depression, risk factors, and child outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(10), 973–982. 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30284-X [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Ghaffar, R., Iqbal, Q., Khalid, A., Saleem, F., Hassali, M. A., Baloch, N. S., Ahmad, F. D., Bashir, S., Haider, S., & Bashaar, M. (2017). Frequency and predictors of anxiety and depression among pregnant women attending tertiary healthcare institutes of Quetta City, Pakistan. BMC Women's Health, 17(1), 1–8. 10.1186/s12905-017-0411-1 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Ghafoor, S., Aftab, S., Baloch, Z. H., Rashid, S., Waheed, A., & Ali, N. (2021). Postpartum depression & body image dissatisfaction in housewives and working women. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 15(4), 1219–1223. [Google Scholar]
  24. Gul, M., Bajwa, S., Niaz, S., Haroon, M., Liaqat, S., Ahmad, M., Dawood, S., Ghazal (Late), F., Bhatti, A. A., Nazir, S., Riffat, S. R., & Chaudhry (Late), H. R. (2013). Postnatal depression and its comparison with the gender of newborn in fourth pregnancy. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 6(1), 16–28. 10.1080/17542863.2011.602543 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  25. Gul, F., Sherin, A., Jabeen, M., & Khan, S. A. (2017). Association of stress with anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 67(12), 1803–1808. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Habib, H., & Ali, W. (2019). Psychosocial correlates of prolonged postpartum depression in mothers of children with movement disorders: Cross-sectional study from a paediatric developmental rehabilitation centre in Peshawar. JPMA The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 69(9), 1293–1299. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Habiba, U., Rana, M. S., Hanif, A., Gilani, S. A., Asif, M., & Ayaz, S. (2020). Prevalence and risk factors associated with prenatal depression among pregnant women in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 33(5), 2355–2360. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Halbreich, U., & Karkun, S. (2006). Cross-cultural and social diversity of prevalence of postpartum depression and depressive symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 91(2-3), 97–111. 10.1016/j.jad.2005.12.051 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Hamid, F., Asif, A., & Haider, I. I. (2008). Study of anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 24(6), 861–864. [Google Scholar]
  30. Hamirani, M. M., Sultana, A., Ibrahim, Z., Iqbal, H., & Sultana, S. (2006). Frequency of prenatal depression in second and third trimesters of pregnancy in Karachi: A hospital based study. Journal of the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, 5(3), 106–109. 10.22442/jlumhs.06530098 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  31. Harrison, S., Quigley, M. A., Fellmeth, G., Stein, A., & Alderdice, F. (2023). The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on postnatal depression: Analysis of three population-based national maternity surveys in England (2014–2020). The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 30, 100654. 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100654. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Humayun, A., Haider, I., Imran, N., Iqbal, H., & Humayun, N. (2013). Antenatal depression and its predictors in Lahore, Pakistan. EMHJ-Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 19(4), 327–332. 10.26719/2013.19.4.327 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Husain, N., Bevc, I., Husain, M., Chaudhry, I., Atif, N., & Rahman, A. (2006). Prevalence and social correlates of postnatal depression in a low income country. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 9(4), 197–202. 10.1007/s00737-006-0129-9 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Husain, N., Parveen, A., Husain, M., Saeed, Q., Jafri, F., Rahman, R., Tomenson, B., & Chaudhry, I. B. (2011). Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of perinatal depression: A cohort study from urban Pakistan. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 14(5), 395–403. 10.1007/s00737-011-0233-3 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Imran, N., & Haider, I. I. (2010). Screening of antenatal depression in Pakistan: Risk factors and effects on obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 2(1), 26–32. 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2009.00028.x [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  36. Insan, N., Weke, A., Forrest, S., & Rankin, J. (2022). Social determinants of antenatal depression and anxiety among women in South Asia: A systematic review & meta-analysis. PLoS One, 17(2), e0263760. 10.1371/journal.pone.0263760 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Irum, S., Khan, A. A., Rabbani, U., Lodhi, F. S., & Elsous, A. (2022). Frequency and risk factors of anxiety and depression among pregnant women in Abbottabad, Pakistan: A facility-based cross-sectional study. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 16(7), 465–468. 10.53350/pjmhs22167465 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  38. Ishtiaque, S., Sultana, S., Malik, U., Yaqoob, U., & Hussain, S. (2020). Prevalence of antenatal depression and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 45(2), 434–438. [Google Scholar]
  39. Jabbar, S. A., Butt, A. S., Balouch, A. H., Akhtar, W., Ali, Z. M., & Jabbar, M. A. (2022). Frequency of depression in pregnant patients presenting to Antenatal Clinic. A cross-sectional study. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 16(11), 333–335. 10.53350/pjmhs20221611333 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  40. Jamal, B. A., Dastgir, G., Khan, M. S., Iqbal, N., Benish, R., Khan, A. M., & Kazmi, T. H. (2018). Antenatal depression: Prevalence predictors and frequently employed coping strategies. Pakistan journal of Medical & Health Sciences, 12(2), 432–436. [Google Scholar]
  41. JBI SUMARI . (2019). System for the unified management of the assessment and review of information (SUMARI). Journal of the Medical Library Association, 107, 634–636. Internet. [Google Scholar]
  42. Kalar, M. U., Fatima, I., Nabila, K., Zainab, A., Wardah, G., Zara, R., Wajiha, W., Umaima, R., Jafri, F. (2012). Prevalence and predictors of postnatal depression in mothers of Karachi. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health, 4(5), 830–839. [Google Scholar]
  43. Kalyani, G. H. S. (2001). Incidence of depressive illness in Pakistani women during postnatal period. JCPSP-Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 11(4), 246–248. [Google Scholar]
  44. Karmaliani, R., Asad, N., Bann, C. M., Moss, N., Mcclure, E. M., Pasha, O., Wright, L. L., & Goldenberg, R. L. (2009). Prevalence of anxiety, depression and associated factors among pregnant women of Hyderabad, Pakistan. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 55(5), 414–424. 10.1177/0020764008094645 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Kazi, A., Fatmi, Z., Hatcher, J., Kadir, M. M., Niaz, U., & Wasserman, G. A. (2006). Social environment and depression among pregnant women in urban areas of Pakistan: Importance of social relations. Social Science & Medicine, 63(6), 1466–1476. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.05.019 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Khabir, Y., Amir, M. A., & Syed, B. U. (2022). The neglect of male post-partum depression in Pakistan. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(12), e52. 10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00341-8 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Khalid, R. (1989). Maternity blues and puerperal depression in Pakistani women. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 4(3-4), 71–81. [Google Scholar]
  48. Khan, M. J., Hamza, M. A., Sarwar, I., & Rashid, M. A. (2020). Major depressive disorder: An alarming stigma of pregnant women. Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad: JAMC, 32(2), 244–249. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Khan, R., Waqas, A., Mustehsan, Z. H., Khan, A. S., Sikander, S., Ahmad, I., Jamil, A., Sharif, M., Bilal, S., Zulfiqar, S., Bibi, A., & Rahman, A. (2021). Predictors of prenatal depression: A cross-sectional study in Rural Pakistan. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 584287. 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.584287 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Khanam, R., Applegate, J., Nisar, I., Dutta, A., Rahman, S., Nizar, A., Dutta, A., Rahman, S., Nizar, A., Ali, S. M., Chowdhury, N. H., Begum, F., Dhingra, U., Tofail, F., Mehmood, U., Deb, S., Ahmed, S., Muhammad, S., Das, S., Ahmed, S., Mittal, H., … , Baqui, A. H. (2022). Burden and risk factors for antenatal depression and its effect on preterm birth in South Asia: A population-based cohort study. PLoS One, 17(2), e0263091. 10.1371/journal.pone.0263091 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Khanam, M., Sultana, A., Siddiqui, S. H., & Rehman, K. (2011). Screening for postpartum depression in recently delivered mothers.
  52. LeMasters, K., Andrabi, N., Zalla, L., Hagaman, A., Chung, E. O., Gallis, J. A., Turner, E. L., Bhalotra, S., Sikander, S., & Maselko, J. (2020). Maternal depression in rural Pakistan: The protective associations with cultural postpartum practices. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 68. 10.1186/s12889-020-8176-0 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Mahendran, R., Puthussery, S., & Amalan, M. (2019). Prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 73(8), 768–777. 10.1136/jech-2018-211819 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Maqbool, S., Manzoor, I., Farman, T., Arshad, T., Fatima, Z., & Arshad, U. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 on mental health of pregnant women in Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 16(10), 166–169. 10.53350/pjmhs221610166 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  55. Maselko, J., Bates, L., Bhalotra, S., Gallis, J. A., O’Donnell, K., Sikander, S., & Turner, E. L. (2018). Socioeconomic status indicators and common mental disorders: Evidence from a study of prenatal depression in Pakistan. SSM-Population Health, 4, 1–9. 10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.10.004 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Maselko, J., Hagaman, A. K., Bates, L. M., Bhalotra, S., Biroli, P., Gallis, J. A., O'Donnell, K., Sikander, S., Turner, E. L., & Rahman, A. (2019). Father involvement in the first year of life: Associations with maternal mental health and child development outcomes in rural Pakistan. Social Science & Medicine, 237, 112421. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112421. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Masood, A., Musarrat, R., Mazahir, S., & Naz, S. (2017). STRESS, Anxiety and depression in women with primigravada: A study on Pakistani women. Khyber Medical University Journal, 9(3), 117–121. [Google Scholar]
  58. Mir, S., Karmaliani, R., Hatcher, J., Asad, N., & Sikander, S. (2012). Prevalence and risk factors contributing to depression among pregnant women in District Chitral, Pakistan.. Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, 9(1), 28–36. [Google Scholar]
  59. Moher, D, Liberati, A, Tetzlaff, J, & Altman, D. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA Statement. Open Medicine, 3(3), e123–e130. Respiration. 2019;97:576-84. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Muneer, A., Minhas, F. A., Nizami, A., Mujeeb, F., & Usmani, A. T. (2009). Frequency and associated factors for postnatal depression. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons—Pakistan, 19(4), 236–239. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. National Institute of Mental Health . (2023). Perinatal depression United States of America: NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/perinatal-depression
  62. NHLBI . (2019). Quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. https://www nhlbi. nih. gov/health-topics/study-quality-assessment-tools]. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. [Internet].
  63. Niaz, S., Izhar, N., & Bhatti, M. (2004). Anxiety and depression in pregnant women presenting in the OPD of a teaching hospital. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 20(2), 117–119. [Google Scholar]
  64. Noorullah, A., Mohsin, Z., Munir, T., Nasir, R., & Malik, M. (2020). Prevalence of paternal postpartum depression. Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS), 15(3), 11–16. [Google Scholar]
  65. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 10, 89. 10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Paulson, J. F., & Bazemore, S. D. (2010). Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: A meta-analysis. Jama, 303(19), 1961–1969. 10.1001/jama.2010.605 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Philpott, L. F., & Corcoran, P. (2018). Paternal postnatal depression in Ireland: Prevalence and associated factors. Midwifery, 56, 121–127. 10.1016/j.midw.2017.10.009 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Premji, S. S., Lalani, S., Shaikh, K., Mian, A., Forcheh, N., Dosani, A., Letourneau, N., Yim, I. S., & Bhamani, S. S. (2020). Comorbid anxiety and depression among pregnant Pakistani women: Higher rates, different vulnerability characteristics, and the role of perceived stress. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19). 10.3390/ijerph17197295 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  69. Rabia, S., Nusrat, U., & Qazi, S. (2017). Frequency and risk profiles associated with antenatal anxiety and depression in middle socioeconomic women. Annals of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Medical & Dental College, 22(2), 88–96. 10.58397/ashkmdc.v22i2.106 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  70. Rahman, A., & Creed, F. (2007). Outcome of prenatal depression and risk factors associated with persistence in the first postnatal year: Prospective study from Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Journal of Affective Disorders, 100(1-3), 115–121. 10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.004 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  71. Rahman, A., Iqbal, Z., & Harrington, R. (2003). Life events, social support and depression in childbirth: Perspectives from a rural community in the developing world. Psychological medicine, 33(7), 1161–1167. 10.1017/S0033291703008286 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  72. Ramadas, S., & Kumar, R. (2016). Postnatal depression: A narrative review. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 9(2), 97–107. 10.1080/17542863.2015.1065893 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  73. Ramji, R. S., Noori, M. Y., & Faisal, A. (2016). Postpartum depression (PPD) among working and non-working mothers/women in Karachi, Pakistan. Journal on Nursing, 6(3), 5–16. 10.26634/jnur.6.3.8257 [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  74. Review Manager . (2020). Review manager (RevMan) [Computer program]. Version 5.4. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020. [Internet].
  75. Riaz, S., & Riaz, M. N. (2020). Prenatal psychiatric symptoms as predictors of postnatal anxiety and depression among primary and multi-gravida women. JPMA The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 70(12A), 2138–2142. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  76. Rogers, A., Obst, S., Teague, S. J., Rossen, L., Spry, E. A., Macdonald, J. A., Sunderland, M., Olsson, C. A., Youssef, G., & Hutchinson, D. (2020). Association between maternal perinatal depression and anxiety and child and adolescent development: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(11), 1082–1092. 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.2910 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  77. Sabir, M., Nagi, M. L. F., & Kazmi, T. H. (2019). Prevalence of antenatal depression among women receiving antenatal care during last trimester of pregnancy in a tertiary care private institute of Lahore. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 35(2), 527. 10.12669/pjms.35.2.649 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  78. Sadaf, M., Kazmi, F., & Malik, S. N. (2011). Antenatal screening for postpartum depression. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College, 15(1). https://www.journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/650. [Google Scholar]
  79. Sadiq, G., Shahzad, Z., & Sadiq, S. (2016). Prospective study on prevalence and risk factors of post natal depression in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 41(1), 64–67. [Google Scholar]
  80. Saeed, A., Raana, T., Saeed, A. M., & Humayun, A. (2016). Effect of antenatal depression on maternal dietary intake and neonatal outcome: A prospective cohort. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 1–9. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  81. Safi-Keykaleh, M., Aliakbari, F., S2afarpour, H., Safari, M., Tahernejad, A., Sheikhbardsiri, H., Tahernejad, A., Sheikhbardsiri, H., & Sahebi, A. (2022). Prevalence of postpartum depression in women amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 157(2), 240–247. 10.1002/ijgo.14129 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  82. Shah, S. M. A., Bowen, A., Afridi, I., Nowshad, G., & Muhajarine, N. (2011). Prevalence of antenatal depression: Comparison between Pakistani and Canadian women. JPMA-Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 61(3), 242. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  83. Shah, S., & Lonergan, B. (2017). Frequency of postpartum depression and its association with breastfeeding: A cross-sectional survey at immunization clinics in Islamabad, Pakistan. JPMA The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 67(8), 1151–1156. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  84. Shahid, A., Malik, N. I., Shahid, F., Ullah, I., & Abbass, Z. (2022). Psychosocial predictors of mental health among pregnant women. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 58(3), 1071–1076. 10.1111/ppc.12900 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  85. Shaikh, K., Premji, S. S., Rose, M. S., Kazi, A., Khowaja, S., & Tough, S. (2011). The association between parity, infant gender, higher level of paternal education and preterm birth in Pakistan: A cohort study. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 11(1), 1–10. 10.1186/1471-2393-11-88 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  86. Smythe, K. L., Petersen, I., & Schartau, P. (2022). Prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety in both parents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2218969. 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.18969 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  87. Tariq, N., Naeem, H., Tariq, A., & Naseem, S. (2021). Maternal depression and its correlates: A longitudinal study. JPMA The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 71(6), 1618–1622. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  88. Wainwright, S., Caskey, R., Rodriguez, A., Holicky, A., Wagner-Schuman, M., & Glassgow, A. E. (2023). Screening fathers for postpartum depression in a maternal-child health clinic: A program evaluation in a midwest urban academic medical center. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), 675. 10.1186/s12884-023-05966-y [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  89. Wang, Z., Liu, J., Shuai, H., Cai, Z., Fu, X., Liu, Y., Xiao, X., Zhang, W., Krabbendam, E., Liu, S., Liu, Z., Li, Z., & Yang, B. X. (2021). Mapping global prevalence of depression among postpartum women. Translational psychiatry, 11(1), 543. 10.1038/s41398-021-01663-6 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  90. Waqas, A., Koukab, A., Meraj, H., Dua, T., Chowdhary, N., Fatima, B., & Rahman, A. (2022). Screening programs for common maternal mental health disorders among perinatal women: Report of the systematic review of evidence. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 54. 10.1186/s12888-022-03694-9 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  91. Waqas, A., Raza, N., Lodhi, H. W., Muhammad, Z., Jamal, M., & Rehman, A. (2015). Psychosocial factors of antenatal anxiety and depression in Pakistan: Is social support a mediator? PLoS One, 10(1), e0116510. 10.1371/journal.pone.0116510 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  92. Woody, C., Ferrari, A., Siskind, D., Whiteford, H., & Harris, M. (2017). A systematic review and meta-regression of the prevalence and incidence of perinatal depression. Journal of Affective disorders, 219, 86–92. 10.1016/j.jad.2017.05.003 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  93. Zahidie, A., Kazi, A., Fatmi, Z., Bhatti, M. T., & Dureshahwar, S. (2011). Social environment and depression among pregnant women in rural areas of Sind, Pakistan. JPMA-Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 61(12), 1183. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  94. Zareen, N., Majid, N., Naqvi, S., Saboohi, S., & Fatima, H. (2009). Effect of domestic violence on pregnancy outcome. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons—Pakistan, 19(5), 291–296. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  95. Zu, Z. D., Ambreen, S., Iqbal, Z., Iqbal, M., & Ahmad, S. (2016). Determinants of antenatal psychological distress in Pakistani Women/Pakistanli Kadinlarda Antenatal Psikolojik Stresi Etkileyen Faktörler. Noro-Psikyatri Arsivi, 53(2), 152. 10.5152/npa.2015.10235 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary file.pdf
RHPB_A_2383468_SM1951.pdf (933.9KB, pdf)

Articles from Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine are provided here courtesy of European Health Psychology Society

RESOURCES