Introduction

Maternal depression is an increasing

public health concern, especially in
low-income countries The reasons for
this high prevalence are not well
known.

reasons and risk factors of

maternal depression

poverty
poor education
declining family support
gender-based violence
unintended pregnancy
chronic maternal illness
Maternal anaemia

In Bangladesh, the prevalence of antepartum

depression is as high as 33%, postpartum depression
is about 22% and depressive symptoms
among rural women is 52%.
Evidence shows that maternal depression has a
signicant
effect on motherchild relationship.
Increased level of maternal depression at
postnatal period was found signicantly related to
infants
poorer cognitive and motor development

Infants of depressed mothers are more

likely
to have lower birthweights, delayed
initiation of breastfeeding, more
frequent
undernutrition or stunting, higher rates
of diarrhoea , and are less likely to be
immunized

Home or community-based
psychosocial interventions in low and
middle-income countries have shown
effects on improving maternal
psychosocial health, including
maternal depressive symptoms,
stress/anxiety and self-esteem