International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 16, Issue 5s, 2026

Proportion of Postpartum Depression Among Pregnant Women Attending October 6th University Hospital

Ahmed Hussein Mohamed Abdel Aal1, Ashraf Sobhi Khalil Abolouz1, Amgad Ahmed Meshref Gabr3, Rania Elsayed Abo Bakr El Sedek4 and Mohamed Shabaan Mahmoud2

1Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University

2lecturer of obstetrics and gynecology at October 6th university

3Assistant professor of Psychiatry at Al-Azhar University

4Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology


ABSTRACT

Background: Post-partum depression (PPD) is a disabling mood disorder that can emerge anytime during the first post-natal year and is now documented as a major global public-health problem because it jeopardizes the well-being of mothers, infants, and entire families

Aim: Quantify the prevalence of post-partum depression during the first post-natal week psychosocial stressors independently associated with depressive symptom severity, and explore the relation between maternal Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) scores and selected maternal–neonatal results.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study aimed at evaluating the proportion of PPD and related risk factors among pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic at October 6th University Hospital., located in Giza, Egypt. Data were collected over a 6-month period, from May 2025 to October 2025.

Results: Mean age was 27.91±4.56 years; 77.3% showed no depression (EPDS mean 6.97±3.95), 16.7% mild, and 6.0% moderate-severe. Significant associations included lower education (p=0.023), smoking (p=0.017), domestic violence (p=0.005) and preterm birth (p<0.001). No significant links with parity, breastfeeding, or contraception.

Conclusion: Several risk factors were significantly associated with higher depression scores, depression severity was also linked to adverse neonatal outcomes, particularly preterm birth. These findings underline the importance of early identification of PPD and giving medical support for at-risk mothers during the perinatal period.

Keywords: Postpartum depression, EPDS, risk factors, gestational age, neonatal outcomes

How to cite this article: Abdel Aal AHM, Abolouz ASK, Gabr AAM, El Sedek REAB, Mahmoud MS, Proportion of Postpartum Depression Among Pregnant Women Attending October 6th University Hospital. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5s): 850-856. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5s.102

Source of support: None

Conflict of interest: None