Prevalence and Related Factors of Postpartum Depression among Jordanian Mothers with a History of COVID 19 during Pregnancy or After Childbirth in a Developing Country

The magnitude of postpartum depression in Jordan during the COVID‑19 pandemic is under‑documented, and little is known about its potential social, demographic, and clinical correlates. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and related factors of postpartum depression among Jordanian mothers with a history of COVID‑19 during pregnancy or after childbirth.

This cross‑sectional descriptive study was carried out in March‑June 2021 among a convenient sample of 109 women with a history of COVID‑19 during pregnancy or after childbirth, who were at a leading hospital equipped to care for COVID‑19 cases in North Jordan. An online survey using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to collect information from mothers with a history of COVID‑19‑positive tests.

Among the total number of women who participated in the study (n = 109), 73 women had postpartum depression. The prevalence of postpartum depression in the present study was 67%. In addition, the study found a positive statistically significant correlation between EPDS scores and being a smoker, delivery method, experiencing severe COVID‑19 symptoms, and being hospitalized.

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, women had a high level of postpartum depression. It would be necessary to follow further the confirmed cases of COVID‑19, and mothers should be screened for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and followed up for antenatal and postnatal care.