Abstract :
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a non-psychotic depressive disorder classified as an episode of major depression with onset within 4 weeks of childbirth. It is characterized by depressed mood, lack of interest or enjoyment in activities, appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, unnecessary guilt, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideation following the birth of an infant. This study Aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of husbands with regards to postpartum depression for female, in eastern province. Analytic cross-sectional study was conducted at primary health care centers in Dammam, Khobar, and Qatif, ministry of health, under E1 cluster in Saudi Arabia. Husbands of post-partum women was included in the study. The sample size was 423 husbands. Data was collected via a self-reported questionnaire. More than half of the participant husbands had inadequate knowledge (51.3%). Most of the participants didn’t know that poor education, young age of the mother and genetics (73.5%, 71.9% and 71.9% respectively) are risk factors of post-partum depression. While 52% didn’t know that death wishes are symptom of postpartum depression. Negative attitude was reported by 53.4% of the sample. The result showed that 72% of the participated husbands will seek needed assistance if their wives were diagnosed with postpartum depression. There was statistically significant difference between the educational level, monthly income and those had come across women with postpartum depression and the level of knowledge of the participants (p≤0.05). This study concluded that a significant proportion of the participants had inadequate knowledge and a negative attitude regarding postpartum depression. Therefore, husbands need health orientation and education about postpartum depression during their wives’ pregnancies and postpartum periods.
