141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

276570
Effects of obeying traditional rituals during postpartum period on depression in Taiwan—the role of male support and marital satisfaction

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Chao-Hung Chen, MD, MHP, PHD , Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Heng-Kien Au, MD , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Min-Chao Huang, Dr , the Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Li-Jen Liang , School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Wan-Chien Lin , Schoolf of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Yi-Hua Chen, Ph D , School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Teipei, Taiwan
Background: Based upon traditional Chinese postpartum rituals, women should be confined to home and obey restrictive regimen (e.g., special diet, avoiding bath) for one month. Although some evidences suggested confinement practices reduced postpartum depression, there was little consensus. Almost none of these studies examined the impact of prenatal and partner's factors. Our study was thus aimed to investigate the effects of obeying traditional rituals during postpartum period on depression, with simultaneous consideration of impact from prenatal and partner's factors. Methods: A total of 335 pregnant women and their partners were recruited for participation during their first trimester prenatal visits in Taipei from 2011-2012. They were followed till six months postpartum. Self-reported data were collected, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and questions on prenatal and partner's factors (e.g., lifestyle, prenatal depression, partner's support and marital satisfaction). Multivariate regression models were used. Results: Lower depression scores were observed among women obeying postpartum rituals (6.74±3.79 vs. 8.79±4.66, p=0.04). Adherence to postpartum practice was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-0.99) after adjustment for prenatal depression, social support, and marital adjustment. The protective effects were more prominent among women with partner's report of high support and marital satisfaction. More modifying effects from prenatal and partner's factors were found. Conclusions With the protective postpartum rituals on depression, the key element may be the presence of welcome support, especially from partners, rather than the specific ritual. Our findings may provide information for service planning to support postpartum care in the communities.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the effects of obeying Chinese traditional rituals during one-month postpartum period on women’s depressive symptoms. Evaluate the potential modifying effects of prenatal depression and partner’s support and marital satisfaction on the link between obeying Chinese traditional rituals during one-month postpartum period and report of depressive symptoms. Discuss the importance of various factors and welcome support, especially from the partners, on the design of service planning and implementation to support postpartum care and promote women’s mental health in the communities.

Keywords: Depression, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI of this project and supervise the design, implementation, and analysis of this work.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.