A Rahman1, J Bunn, H Lovel, F Creed. 1. Human Development Research Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan. atif.rahman@ntlworld.com
Abstract
AIMS: To examine the associations between postnatal depression in mothers and diarrhoeal illness in their infants in the first year of life in a low-income country. METHODS: Using a prospective cohort design, 265 infants (n = 130 of mothers having a depressive episode according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at 3 months postnatal and n = 135 of psychologically well mothers) living in rural Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were followed up for 1 year. Frequency of diarrhoeal episodes was measured fortnightly by health workers using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: Infants of depressed mothers had significantly more diarrhoeal episodes per year than those of controls (mean 5.5 v 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9 to 2.0). The relative risk of having > or =5 diarrhoeal episodes per year in infants of depressed mothers was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.1). The association remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal depression is associated with infant diarrhoeal morbidity in a low-income community setting. It is independent of the effects of known factors such as undernutrition, socioeconomic status and parental education. Preventive child health programmes targeting mothers must consider their mental health.
AIMS: To examine the associations between postnatal depression in mothers and diarrhoeal illness in their infants in the first year of life in a low-income country. METHODS: Using a prospective cohort design, 265 infants (n = 130 of mothers having a depressive episode according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at 3 months postnatal and n = 135 of psychologically well mothers) living in rural Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were followed up for 1 year. Frequency of diarrhoeal episodes was measured fortnightly by health workers using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS:Infants of depressed mothers had significantly more diarrhoeal episodes per year than those of controls (mean 5.5 v 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9 to 2.0). The relative risk of having > or =5 diarrhoeal episodes per year in infants of depressed mothers was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.1). The association remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS:Maternal depression is associated with infant diarrhoeal morbidity in a low-income community setting. It is independent of the effects of known factors such as undernutrition, socioeconomic status and parental education. Preventive child health programmes targeting mothers must consider their mental health.
Authors: Robert C Stewart; James Bunn; Maclean Vokhiwa; Eric Umar; Felix Kauye; Margaret Fitzgerald; Barbara Tomenson; Atif Rahman; Francis Creed Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2009-07-17 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Anna Lartey; Grace S Marquis; Robert Mazur; Rafael Perez-Escamilla; Lucy Brakohiapa; William Ampofo; Daniel Sellen; Seth Adu-Afarwuah Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2012-08-20 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Robert C Stewart; Eric Umar; Felix Kauye; James Bunn; Maclean Vokhiwa; Margaret Fitzgerald; Barbara Tomenson; Atif Rahman; Francis Creed Journal: Matern Child Nutr Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 3.092