Association between unintended births and risk of postpartum depression: Evidence from Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam

Previous studies have shown that unintended births adversely affect birth outcomes, child health and cognitive development in developing countries. However, only a few studies have examined the association between unintended births and risk of postpartum depression (PPD) in these countries. The study uses data from the first wave of Young Lives Study (YLS) conducted in 2002 in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam to examine the association between birth intention and the risk of PPD. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions are used to examine the association. Bivariate result indicates that the risk of PPD was substantially higher among mothers who reported an unintended birth as compared to mothers who reported an intended birth in each country. Results from multivariable logistic regression models indicate that unintended births were associated with higher risk of PPD in pooled data (odds ratio: 1.46, 95%CI. 1.29, 1.66), Ethiopia (odds ratio: 1.99, 95% CI. 1.58,2.50), and Peru (odds ratio: 1.29, 95% CI. 1.04, 1.59) compared with mothers having an intended birth. Results suggest that reducing unintended births might help in reducing the incidence of PPD among mothers in these countries. One of the most cost-effective interventions for reducing the incidence of unintended births is the availability of effective family planning programme.