Preliminary Findings Of A Prevalence Study Of Early Postnatal Psychological Distress In Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Jane Fisher, Martha Morrow, Nguyen thi Nhu Ngoc*, Lu thi Hoang Anh**
Key Centre for Women's Health in Society, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia *Hung Vuong Obstetric and Gynaecological Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
**Ho Chi Minh City Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Centre
Objective
The postpartum psychological functioning of women who have emigrated from Vietnam to other countries has been investigated in a number of studies. However, there are no existing systematic investigations of the postpartum psychological state of women living in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to establish whether the prevalence and correlates of postpartum psychological distress in an urban setting in Vietnam.
Method
Women who gave birth either at the Hung Vuong Obstetric and Gynecological Hospital or at the Ho Chi Minh City Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning Centre in August and September 2000 were invited to take part in an interview when attending well-baby clinics at these centers 6 - 8 weeks postpartum. An individual structured interview, which included a translated and back-translated version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a list of no-specific somatic symptoms, was administered by trained clinicians.
Results
In all 506 women completed the interview. There was a low (<3%) refusal rate, mostly associated with women returning to stay with their families of origin in rural areas after giving birth. Overall 33% (166/506) scored = 13 on the EPDS. Scores in the clinical range were associated with an unwelcome pregnancy, being unable to confide in their partners, having insufficient practical help in the first month postpartum, an unsettled baby and no permanent job to return to. There were significant correlations between some non-specific somatic symptoms and elevated EPDS scores. Suicidal ideation was common among those scoring in the clinical range of the EPDS.
Conclusions
To date, the health programs of developing countries have focussed on physical health. The findings of this study suggest that clinically significant postnatal psychological distress is a prevalent, but under investigated health problem in Vietnam. The prevalence, nature, prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in developing countries should become a high priority for planning and international funding assistance.
