Maternal depression in rural Pakistan: the protective associations with cultural postpartum practices.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Traditional postpartum practices are intended to provide care to mothers, but there is mixed evidence concerning their impact on postpartum depression (PPD). It remains unknown if there is a unique impact of postpartum practices on PPD separately from other types of social support, or if practices differentially affect those with existing prenatal depression. In Pakistan, chilla (چله) is a traditional postpartum practice in which women receive relief from household work, additional familial support, and supplemental food for up to 40 days postpartum. This study aims to understand if chilla protects against PPD independent of other support and whether this relationship varies by prenatal depression status.

Methods

Data come from the Bachpan cohort study in rural Pa

SUBMITTER: LeMasters K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6964000 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature