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2.Burden and Determinants of Depression among Parents of Newborns Admitted To Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Kamran Hayat, Athar Razzaq, Sidra Saleem, Ejaz Ahmad and Syed Hassan Ahmed
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the burden and determinants of depression among parents of newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the NICU of Indus Hospital, Muzaffar Garrh, Pakistan, from March 2023 to August 2023.
Methods: A total of 131 parents of newborns admitted to the NICU for more than 24 hours were analyzed. Demographic information about patients (neonates) was recorded while the parents were screened for depression using the Parental Stressor Scale (PSS). PSS score greater than 75 was labeled as depression.
Results: In a total of 131 newborns, there were 79 (60.3%) were girls. The mean gestational age was 33.82±4.21 weeks (ranging between 24-41 weeks). The mean age of the respondent was 29.89±6.68 years (ranging between 18-45 years). Mode of delivery was cesarean section in 112 (85.5%) cases. The mean PSS score was 78.94±15.92 whereas depression was note in 93 (71.0%) respondents. Being literate increased the odds to depression to 3.22 (1.22-8.47) while the comparison between literacy status turned out to be significant. Gestational age was found to have significant association with depression (p=0.013). Bivariate correlation analysis revealed that relatively weak but significant inverse correlation was identified between gestational age and PSS scores (r=-0.197, p=0.04).
Conclusion: A substantial portion, 71.0% of respondents whose newborns were admitted to NICU, reported depression as indicated by the PSS score. Educational status and gestational age were found to have significant association with parental depression.
Key Words: Cesarean section, depression, gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit, Parental Stressor Scale.