Factors associated with postpartum depression in mothers of the kangaroo mother care program in Southern Colombia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Postpartum depression is a worldwide public health problem associated with postpartum risk factors, which requires being studied in mothers with newborns enrolled in kangaroo care programs. Objective To establish the frequency and the factors related to postpartum depression in mothers attending kangaroo care in Colombia. Methods Cross-sectional analytic study that used Edinburgh's postpartum depression survey, and a questionnaire that asked for the sociodemographic, obstetric-gynecological, and psycho-emotional factors in 140 mothers with newborns. Results The postpartum depression frequency was 23.5% higher in young women with an average age of 27 years, from urban areas, and low socio-economic stratum; a significant proportion reported the obstetric-gynecological factor associated with the number of pregnancies, vaginal delivery, and live births. The multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that the care of the newborn and the irritability caused by the newborn's crying to the mother are associated with postpartum depression. Conclusion Establishing the postpartum depression frequency and risk factors provides the nursery with a theoretical ground to offer programs oriented towards the care of women during postpartum at the community level, strengthening the childcare of the newborn, articulated to an interdisciplinary team where the mother's physical and mental health are integrated.